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 6 in the Isuzu UTE A-League, so ahead of another weekend of top-class football, take a listen to what some of the league’s head coaches and players have had to say ahead of their respective matches.
WEEKEND PREVIEW: What you need to know for Round 6 of the Isuzu UTE A-League
INS & OUTS: Round 6: Sydney Derby squads, Auckland’s triple boost, Socceroo ‘ready to go’
‘Let him take his time’ – City boss calls for calm despite young star’s meteoric rise
Melbourne City head coach Aurelio Vidmar believes the hype around young striker Max Caputo is certainly justified, but has call for calm when it comes to hyping him up.
Caputo bagged his sixth goal in eight games on Tuesday night as City defeated Malaysian giants Johor Darul Ta’zim 2-0 at AAMI Park to record their third-straight win in the AFC Champions League Elite.
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With Caputo’s impressive form having already been the subject of many a Vidmar press conference this season, the City boss was once again asked to comment on his young striker’s performance.
“The whole club is really bullish with him,” said the City head coach when speaking at his pre-game press conference ahead of this weekend’s clash with Central Coast Mariners at polytec Stadium.
“The players love him, but we just, in my view, we can get carried away by promoting and getting excited about any player who comes on and scores a goal or does a couple of things that you know, Christ, we’ve never seen anything like this before, which is total folly.
“He’s just a kid. Let him grow. Let him play every week if he can, and let him get there at his own steam.
“We shouldn’t get too excited.”
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He continued: “As I said, we’re really bullish about him, but just let him take his time getting himself where he needs to get to. You know, there were some weeks I can’t remember who it was talking about, the Socceroos; those things are just ridiculous.
“You know, his first second year, although he’s been in the at the club, in the first team for probably four years, he’s only just starting his professional career.
“So every week in the A-League, he’s getting experience. Every ACL game, he’s getting even more experience because he’s playing against some really hardened professionals and physical guys, and he still has to get used to that as well.
“So let him grow at his own steam. He’ll be absolutely fine.”
Watch the full press conference below.
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‘You’ve got to experience it’ – Sydney FC boss excited for Sydney Derby
This weekend sees Sydney FC travel across town to face fierce rivals Western Sydney Wanderers in Parramatta, for what will be the 42nd edition of the Sydney Derby.
The Sky Blues head into the game on an impressive four-game winning streak which also has them sat on top of the ladder.
However, despite their scintillating form, the Sky Blues head coach insists his side can’t rely on their good form ahead of a clash like this one against their bitter rivals.
Take a listen to his full press conference below.
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‘Biggest event on the domestic sporting calendar’
Western Sydney Wanderers boss Alen Stajcic has reiterated his belief that the Sydney Derby is THE marquee fixture when it comes to Australian sport.
The Wanderers head into Saturday night’s showpiece event at CommBank Stadium having gotten their first win of the Isuzu UTE A-League campaign last time out, a 3-2 win over Central Coast Mariners.
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Check out Stajcic’s full press conference below.
The ‘inexcusable’ trait Phoenix boss hopes to be eradicate
Wellington Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano says starting games slowly at home is simply inexcusable.
The Phoenix welcome Adelaide United to Sky Stadium in Round 6 of the Isuzu UTE A-League, with Italiano’s side desperate to put an end to a run of three games without a win.
Crucially, the Phoenix have lost their last two matches, both of which have come at home and Italiano says making a fast start at Sky Stadium is crucial to setting the tone for the afternoon.
“At home, it’s inexcusable that you have a slow start. I think even if you’re not working with the ball, you can still press. You can still, keep that intensity,” said the Phoenix boss.
“I think we’ve been doing those things well intermittently, it’s just more about keeping it up for 90 minutes, which is the struggle. But again, I think also it’s a confidence thing as well.”
To hear more from the Wellington Phoenix head coach, check out the full press conference below.
‘It’s game on’ – Vanuatu star reveals trigger point that’s turned team’s fortunes around
Perth Glory defender Brian Kaltak believes his side have finally turned a corner, following what’s been a rough start to the Isuzu UTE A-League 2025-26 season.
Glory secured their first win of the new campaign in Round 5 with a gutsy 2-1 victory over Newcastle Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium.
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An off-season signing from Central Coast Mariners, Kaltak was named Player of the Match for his performance against the Jets and he himself believes the side have now turned a corner.
Check out the full press conference with Brian Kaltak below.
