Former partners in crime Ufuk Talay and Giancarlo Italiano met in opposing dugouts for the first time as senior head coaches in Sydney FC’s 3-1 win over Wellington Phoenix on Friday night.
Talay departed Wellington in the off-season after four years as the head coach of their Isuzu UTE A-League side, paving the way for his former right-hand man, Italiano, to succeed him in the top job.
Since then, Italiano has orchestrated a brilliant start to the season, leading the Phoenix into first place in the standings, while Talay returned to coaching as Sky Blues boss at the start of Round 4 following Steve Corica’s dismissal.
But when the two coaches went toe-to-toe at Allianz Stadium, it was Talay’s charges who came out on top, securing consecutive wins for the first time this season and cutting the gap on the top six to only two points heading into the remainder of Round 10.
MATCH REPORT: Sky Blues fend off Phoenix in barnstorming end to gutsy win over league leaders
In his post-game press conference, Talay spoke about the reunion with his former assistant and the rollercoaster of emotions his family – in particular his daughter – went through throughout the contest.
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“It was Sydney FC vs Wellington, not ‘Chiefy’ (Italiano) v ‘Uffie’ (Talay),” he said.
“The game wasn’t about me and Chiefy It’s about the team going out there to perform and win and get the three points.
“I was just speaking to my wife and my daughter outside. When we scored, my daughter actually started crying because she felt sorry for ‘Chiefy’ (Italiano)!
“Chiefy is like a brother to me. We worked alongside [each other] for four years, whatever success we’ve had, we’ve had it together and I’m glad for him that he’s doing very well at Wellington.”
Sydney opened the scoring through Rhyan Grant, before Kosta Barbarouses equalised late in the second-half to set up a frantic finish.
However, the Sky Blues returned serve through Robert Mak and Fabio Gomes, who both found the net as time expired to wrap up the win.
Mak’s go-ahead goal came as a result of a rare error from in-form keeper Alex Paulsen, who misjudged a pass to Tim Payne and played the ball straight to Sydney midfielder Max Burgess instead, which led to the Slovakia international finding the back of the net.
Italiano came to the defence of Paulsen, saying he will encourage the young star to continue being brave with the ball at his feet when playing out from the back.
“It happens. I can’t fault him,” Italiano said.
“We’re in Round 10 and if we’re faulting him for one mistake in Round 10 it’s pretty good. It’s going to happen and it won’t be the last time.
“My expectation is that it’s been working for us for so long and it’s going to continue like that.
“Could he potentially improve the timing or weight of the pass? Yes, but he’s still a young kid as well and to expect anyone to be faultless is not reasonable.”
The loss means Wellington could head into the New Year in second place, depending on whether Melbourne Victory beat Adelaide United on Saturday night.
