A-League
Douglas Costa Ready for First Sydney Derby
Brazilian star gears up for debut as Sydney FC faces off against Western Sydney Wanderers in season opener
Douglas Costa, a veteran of world football, has played on some of the biggest stages—from the World Cup to the UEFA Champions League. But this Saturday, the Brazilian winger will experience something completely new: the intensity of the Sydney Derby. As Sydney FC squares off against Western Sydney Wanderers in the highly anticipated opening match of the 2024/25 Isuzu UTE A-League season, Costa is eager to embrace the challenge.
Despite his rich history in top-flight football, Costa admits that playing in his first Sydney Derby will be a unique experience. “I feel really good coming into this,” Costa said. “It’s my first Derby, and I know there’s a lot of expectation. My team-mates and I are working hard to win this one.”
Sydney FC enters the match with momentum, having already played two competitive fixtures in the AFC Champions League, while the Wanderers were eliminated from the Australia Cup at the quarter-final stage earlier in the season. But Costa, ever the seasoned professional, knows that anything can happen in football. “We’ve had some good preparation with our games in Asia, so we’re really ready for this one. But in a Derby, it’s always unpredictable,” he added.
The Sydney Derby, a fixture known for its electric atmosphere and fierce rivalry, is not entirely foreign to Costa, who draws parallels to similar clashes he’s witnessed in Brazil and Germany. “Wherever I’ve played, a Derby always means something special. Here, I can already feel the shift in energy around the city. We’re all pushing to give 100%,” Costa explained.
The excitement around Costa’s arrival in Sydney has drawn comparisons to another football legend—Alessandro Del Piero, who thrilled Australian fans during his stint with Sydney FC a decade ago. However, Costa was quick to brush aside the comparisons. “Ale is Ale. He’s one of a kind, and I’d never compare myself to him. He was my idol when I was at Juventus,” Costa remarked with admiration. “If he ever comes back, I’d love to play with him!”
As the countdown to Saturday’s kick-off at CommBank Stadium approaches, Costa remains focused on helping his team start the season on the right foot. “We’re going to give everything we’ve got in this Derby. It’s the perfect way to set the tone for the season ahead.”
Western Sydney Wanderers v Sydney FC
Isuzu UTE A-League, Round One
Saturday, October 19th, 2024
CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 7:35 pm AEDT
Broadcast: Paramount+ & 10Bold
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Douglas Costa, Sydney FC, Western Sydney Wanderers, Isuzu UTE A-League, Sydney Derby, A-League Round One
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