Western Sydney midfielder Dylan Scicluna has vowed the Wanderers will atone for last year’s horror season as the fallen A-Leagues giant set out for a redemption arc.
The Wanderers will return to action against bitter rivals Sydney FC with a clean slate after a season in which both men’s and women’s sides finished last on their respective tables.
Men’s coach Alen Stajcic was sacked in January, paying the price for a poor patch of results which netted just three wins and a league-low 10 goals from 13 matches.
But the club’s fortunes in the A-League Men continued to nosedive, with the Wanderers winning just two of their 11 games under interim boss Gary van Egmond to slump to their maiden wooden spoon.
Now six months on and after a pre-season under new coach Ufuk Talay, midfielder Scicluna is adamant the club has turned the corner.
Talay is tasked with reviving the Wanderers after leaving Sydney FC mid-season in March, adding further spice to the season-opening derby on October 16 at Allianz Stadium.
“We all had a hard look in the mirror,” Scicluna said of the wash-up from last season.
“The hardest thing to do was to make change. And we have made change.
“Everyone took last year personally … we've all got a point to prove, obviously myself included.
“I've got more to give, I think everyone does from last year, but we're all confident.”
Scicluna said the Wanderers are standing taller with the return of Johnny Warren medallist Nicolas Milanovic.
Milanovic had left for Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen after helping the Wanderers to a fourth-place finish and soaring to career-best heights in the 2024/25 campaign.
The 23-year-old made 23 appearances for Aberdeen across all competitions last season.
“He's a game-changer,” Scicluna said.
“It’s a big boost. We all saw what he did in his last season before he went.
“He’s a player who knows everything about the club coming back in, and it suits the way we want to play.”
Two-cap Socceroos winger Milanovic is one of six new signings under Talay, with Central Coast young gun Miguel Di Pizio lured to the Wanderers.
A repeat of his 2024/25 feats will go some way in convincing Tony Popovic for a spot in next year’s Asian Cup.
Scicluna is eyeing a maiden Socceroos call-up after switching his allegiance from Malta to Australia earlier this year.
“My heart was always set on Australia, deep down,” Scicluna said.
“Once that phone call happened, it wasn't a decision I had to make so much. It was more of, OK, let's make this happen.
“Whatever happens, happens. Some things in football are out of your control.
“I'd be lying if I said it (the Asian Cup) hasn't caught my eye.”
