With ‘treble-winning star’ attached to his name, Miguel Di Pizio says his experience at Central Coast has prepared him for the expectation of delivering for Western Sydney.
Di Pizio has been touted as a game-changer for last season’s A-League Men wooden spooners after making the move from the Mariners.
And the attention is deserved, given the 20-year-old midfielder played a key role in Central Coast’s historic 2023/24 campaign.
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Then 17 in his debut season, Di Pizio became the youngest goalscorer in an A-League Men grand final, help the Mariners secure a championship to go with their premiership and AFC Cup.
Central Coast has since struggled to replicate their trophy-winning ways amid off the field changes and finished ninth last season before being rescued by new owners Total Soccer Growth Holdings.
While the Wanderers may not appear to be in better shape after slumping to their maiden wooden spoon, Di Pizio said his move came down to feeling like he’d ticked every box at the Mariners.
The midfielder had risen through the ranks at the Wanderers academy before moving to Central Coast.
“Respectfully, I feel like I had achieved everything I could with Central Coast,” Di Pizio told AAP.
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“For me, I’m very grateful and blessed that I had been through it and I’ve achieved it now. I got a taste of it, and I’m ready for more.
“The players from last season, they felt like they had hit rock bottom as a club, and they’re ready for a change … and it’s a responsibility that you have a headline over your head as a treble-winner.
“Coaches and other players in the team know you’re a winner.
“They know that you can bring a winning mentality to the group.”
Di Pizio made his club debut in last week’s goalless draw with beaten grand finalists Sydney FC, but is yet to find his groove in a much-hyped partnership with Nicolas Milanovic.
Like Di Pizio, 2024/25 Johnny Warren medallist Milanovic has shouldered the responsibility in turning around the Wanderers after a one-season spell at Scottish Premiership club Aberdeen.
The duo will be looking to fire at CommBank Stadium this week, with the Wanderers facing reigning champions Auckland FC.
“That is a responsibility for us, but Milo and I, we know what we can do individually as players,” Di Pizio said.
“We do everything we can to be able to produce that on the pitch.
“It’s been good to get to learn about Milo … to play with a player of that quality, and to train with him to learn things off him as well.”
