Sydney Fc striker Stamatelopoulos says goals will come ahead of Big Blue
sydney fc forward Apostolos Stamatelopoulos says he is not worried about his lack of goals as he prepares for the Big Blue against Melbourne Victory at Allianz Stadium this Saturday, and he is focused on game time and team performance. The 26-year-old joined on loan from Motherwell in February and is yet to score in his first appearances but expects chances to come. He says his priority is regular minutes as of 11: 05 PM ET on March 5, 2026.
Immediate reaction: confidence from the striker
Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, Sydney FC forward, spoke directly about his scoreless start and his outlook ahead of what the club has billed as a marquee derby. “I wouldn’t say I’m worried, the boys know if they give me good service, I’ll eventually put one or two chances away, ” he said, adding that he is “really enjoying my time at the club” and praising the team’s attacking style and work ethic. Stamatelopoulos confirmed he returned to the A-League for game time after suffering a knock and being loaned from Motherwell, and that an option exists for the loan to be made permanent. He also noted a personal milestone approaching, saying he and his wife are expecting a baby in June, which factors into his settling at the club.
Sydney Fc defensive focus and the Juan Mata threat
Alex Wilkinson, Head of Football Operations, Sydney FC, framed the defensive task ahead by recalling past encounters with Juan Mata and the kind of movement the Victory midfielder offers. Wilkinson said the experience of facing Mata at international level highlighted the Spaniard’s off-the-ball intelligence and the difficulty that creates for defenders: “They were best team in the world at the time, ” he said, and added that clever players who find space and time on the ball made life difficult for him as a centre back. Juan Mata, 37, is expected to play a central role for Melbourne Victory in the clash, increasing the tactical focus on Sydney’s defence ahead of the Big Blue.
Quick context: path back to the A-League
Stamatelopoulos first appeared at A-League level with the Reds in 2017, later played overseas including stints in Greece and Scotland, and rejoined the domestic game on loan this season to secure regular appearances. The Big Blue at Allianz Stadium coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Cove supporter base, a backdrop Stamatelopoulos said will lift the occasion.
What’s next: selection, finals and the loan decision
Stamatelopoulos is set to make his fifth appearance for the club in the Big Blue and has framed short-term goals around contributing to finals preparation rather than international selection. He acknowledged that to force his way into Tony Popovic’s World Cup considerations he would need a prolific run, but for now his concentration is on earning minutes, helping the team and settling the loan situation. Fans will watch whether sydney fc can extract that first goal from their new forward and whether the club exercises the option to sign him permanently after the loan spell.
