Football: Master and apprentice reunite as high-flying Wellington Phoenix look to continue A-League winning run against Sydney FC

The high-flying Wellington Phoenix Men's and Women's sides take on Sydney FC in an A-League double header on Friday.

It will be a reunion for best friends Giancarlo Italiano and Ufuk Talay, who'll face off against each other for the first time in their coaching careers.

"I like to win every game, Ufie [Talay] likes to win every game," said Italiano. "That pretty much settles that." 

The pair's friendship will be tested over 90 minutes, as 10th placed Sydney host the league-leading Phoenix.

"We both want to win the game," said Talay. "We both want to have success in what we do, but he's one my greatest mates, and one of the guys that stood beside me for four seasons."

Talay led the Wellington Phoenix for four years, while Italiano worked as his assistant. Now, the two will go head-to-head.

However, as far as Italiano is concerned, the relationship between the two coaches won't affect either side.

"I don't look at it in that respect," he said. "For me, the main thing is that the team performs well.

"It's not me versus Ufie."

The Phoenix were tipped to struggle this campaign, but have so far been the A-League men's surprise package to start the season.

From their nine games, the Phoenix have won nine of them, with two draws to hold a three-point lead over Melbourne Victory in second place.

And despite the festive season, Talay's found time to analyse his former club, and promises a tactical battle between the two coaches.

"For Christmas what was I doing? [I] went to the beach, then came home and watched Wellington play," he confessed.

"Chiefy [Italiano] has got them well organised, and they work as a unit, and they defend as a unit.

"We've got to try and find those moments to exploit them." 

While the Phoenix have enjoyed their best start to a season, Talay has been brought in mid-season to save Sydney, who sit tenth, and five points outside finals contention.

Italianio, though, knows what his former boss is capable of.

"On their day, anyone can beat anyone," he said. "We have to be prepared for every game."

Regardless of Friday's result, a catch up is on the cards - it'll just be a matter of who's buying the beers.  

The high-flying Wellington Phoenix Men's and Women's sides take on Sydney FC in an A-League double header on Friday.

It will be a reunion for best friends Giancarlo Italiano and Ufuk Talay, who'll face off against each other for the first time in their coaching careers.

"I like to win every game, Ufie [Talay] likes to win every game," said Italiano. "That pretty much settles that." 

The pair's friendship will be tested over 90 minutes, as 10th placed Sydney host the league-leading Phoenix.

"We both want to win the game," said Talay. "We both want to have success in what we do, but he's one my greatest mates, and one of the guys that stood beside me for four seasons."

Talay led the Wellington Phoenix for four years, while Italiano worked as his assistant. Now, the two will go head-to-head.

However, as far as Italiano is concerned, the relationship between the two coaches won't affect either side.

"I don't look at it in that respect," he said. "For me, the main thing is that the team performs well.

"It's not me versus Ufie."

The Phoenix were tipped to struggle this campaign, but have so far been the A-League men's surprise package to start the season.

From their nine games, the Phoenix have won nine of them, with two draws to hold a three-point lead over Melbourne Victory in second place.

And despite the festive season, Talay's found time to analyse his former club, and promises a tactical battle between the two coaches.

"For Christmas what was I doing? [I] went to the beach, then came home and watched Wellington play," he confessed.

"Chiefy [Italiano] has got them well organised, and they work as a unit, and they defend as a unit.

"We've got to try and find those moments to exploit them." 

While the Phoenix have enjoyed their best start to a season, Talay has been brought in mid-season to save Sydney, who sit tenth, and five points outside finals contention.

Italianio, though, knows what his former boss is capable of.

"On their day, anyone can beat anyone," he said. "We have to be prepared for every game."

Regardless of Friday's result, a catch up is on the cards - it'll just be a matter of who's buying the beers.  

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