Football Season Guide

Sydney made it back-to-back titles last season and from start to finish the Sky Blues were by far the most consistent team in the league. Having both the best defence and the most effective forward line brought plenty of joy once more. Coach Corica was forced by the owners to allow top scorer for past 2 seasons Le Fondre to leave on 1-year loan! COVID-related financial difficulties for the Russian airline owning Sydney FC led to the team’s budget being slashed and as a result the highest earner Le Fondre had to go. Not just that but Sydney didn’t sign anyone new and only promoted several teenagers from the U21s to the first team. Considering that Le Fondre was the only typical centre forward on the books, Corica definitely plans to use a fluid front line this season. Natural wingers Barbarouses and Buhagiar will be rotating as false nine with both of them possessing electric pace and with this making Sydney probably the only team in the A-League that would seek to play mainly on counterattack. This would once again make the Sky Blues unique in style, but questions remain will the current group of forwards be able to replace the 15+ goals which Le Fondre’s presence pretty much guarantees. With nobody else leaving further down the pitch, Sydney have pretty much the same group that won them 2 consecutive titles and they should continue to have one of the best defensive records.