Western Sydney Wanderers caretaker Jean-Paul de Marigny says his side’s crushing 5-2 win over Adelaide United on Friday night was a result of the risk-taking style of play he’s encouraged since taking charge of the squad.
Western Sydney Wanderers caretaker Jean-Paul de Marigny says his side’s crushing 5-2 win over Adelaide United on Friday night was a result of the risk-taking style of play he’s encouraged since taking charge of the squad.
The Wanderers scored four first-half goals to ignite the pulsating win at Bankwest Stadium – just their third win at the venue for the season.
Results have vastly improved since de Marigny took over from Markus Babbel as head coach in January; the Red and Black snapped a three-game losing streak with a win over Central Coast Mariners in his first game in charge and haven’t lost since, drawing to Newcastle Jets in Round 19 before thrashing the Reds on Friday night.
De Marigny says the three points were just what his side deserved, and the entertaining display was just what the fans deserved.
“We want to be brave, we want to take risks and we want to score goals,” de Marigny told FOX Sports post-match.
“The rewards for the risk is massive, so we’re really happy with that.
“It’s about scoring goals, it’s about entertaining the fans and representing the region in a proper way.
“The region is hard-working, front foot, aggressive in the proper manner.
“If we score five [goals] and cop two I’ll live with that.”
De Marigny’s side signaled their intent early in the contest when Pirmin Schwegler’s deflected free-kick breached the Reds’ goal with just four minutes on the clock; Adelaide then clicked into gear, scoring twice through Riley McGree and Ben Halloran to take the lead with just 22 minutes played, but from then on the Wanderers took control, hammering home four unanswered goals to wrap up an emphatic win.
The result was massive for the Wanderers who remain in touch with the top six heading into Round 21, but the most important facet of the win for de Marigny was not the three points, but the enjoyment his players exuded putting on what was a scintillating performance under lights in Wanderland.
“The most important thing… I want them to enjoy their football, I want them to play with freedom within our structure and just making sure we reach our full potential,” he said.
“They did it, and I’m so pleased for them.”
De Marigny and the Wanderers will soak up the joy from their third home win of the season, but can’t afford to dwell too long on their success with a Friday night Sydney Derby looming on the horizon.
The Red and Black are the only side who have inflicted defeat on Sydney FC this season, and de Marigny hopes a similar success will be on the cards for his side as they look to gatecrash the 2019/20 Finals Series.
“For me tonight is about enjoying this moment, it’s all about recovery now,” de Marigny said.
“We’ll reset on Monday and we’ll look at Sydney FC and the derby, I’m looking forward to it.
“It’s going to be difficult but it will be a great challenge for us, we’re in a good place at the moment, they’re enjoying their football and training well and progressing well physically.
“That’s all we can do… we can do only our best and I want them to enjoy their football, I want them to play with a smile on their face and that’s what it’s about.”
