Welcome to Best of the Press, where aleagues.com.au brings you everything you need to know from coach and player press conferences in the lead-in to the weekend’s action.
It’s Round 2 in the Isuzu UTE A-League 2025-26 campaign and, hear from coaches around the grounds ahead of another weekend of football.
WEEKEND PREVIEW: What you need to know for Round 2 of the Isuzu UTE A-League
Coach explains player rejection ahead of reunion
Melbourne Victory head coach Arthur Diles explained why Alex Badolato is no longer at the club ahead of Friday night’s showdown at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Badolato spent the second half of last season on loan at Victory from Western Sydney Wanderers but the CommBank Young Socceroos star has since joined 2025 Australia Cup champions Newcastle Jets.
Ahead of the Round 2 reunion after Badolato’s goal-of-the-season contender against Central Coast Mariners, Diles told reporters: “We tried to keep him but his intention was to go elsewhere.
“We knew (he) had a lot of ability, and in the end, his decision wasn’t to stay at our club. I don’t look further past that. For me, that’s old news now. That’s done and dusted.
“We look forward to improving the players that we have and improving the squad that we have. We’re very happy with the players that we’ve been able to bring in.”
Hear every word of Arthur Diles’ pre-game press conference below.
Chiefy’s reaction to ‘high-line hijinx’
Wellington Phoenix head coach Giancarlo ‘Chiefy’ Italiano provided an insight into the team’s new playing system in 2025-26.
Speaking to reporters prior to Sunday’s clash with Brisbane Roar, Italiano explained the tactical tweak.
Hear every word of Giancarlo Italiano’s pre-game press conference below.
Jets sweating on severity of Japanese star’s injury
Newcastle Jets head coach Mark Milligan says the club are waiting to learn how long Kota Mizumuma will be sidelined for after suffering a hamstring injury prior to Round 1.
It remains to be seen how long the popular Japanese star will be out for, as Milligan explained ahead of Friday night’s clash with Melbourne Victory at McDonald Jones Stadium.
“It’s very clear for everyone Kota is an important part of this group,” Milligan said. “It’s not just what Kota does on the field. I think his energy is infectious as well on a daily basis.”
Hear every word of Mark Milligan’s pre-game press conference below.
Talay’s praise for returning Sydney FC great
Redmayne farewelled Sydney for the Mariners after eight-and-a-half years in the Harbour City, where he won three Championships, three Premierships, two Australia Cup titles as well as keeping 64 clean sheets.
The retired Socceroo produced a match-winning display for Central Coast Round 1 and Talay is braced for Saturday night’s reunion at Leichhardt Oval.
“He’s been very important to Sydney FC and very important to the game in Australia, even with the Socceroos,” said Talay.
Hear every word of Ufuk Talay’s pre-game press conference below.
Roar’s plan for Phoenix trip: ‘I don’t expect any different’
Brisbane Roar boss Michael Valkanis is leaving no stone un-turned ahead of his side’s Round 2 clash against Wellington Phoenix, believing even the weather will factor into the tactics both sides deploy at Sky Stadium.
Having claimed an opening-round win over Macarthur Bulls, the Roar now turn their attention to a hotly-anticipated match-up against Wellington at Sky Stadium, where they’ll be hoping to take advantage of a bold new tactical approach by the Nix and their head coach, Giancarlo Italiano.
Hear every word of Michael Valkanis’ pre-game press conference below.
