Alessandro Diamanti served yet another reminder of his impudence and world-class talent on Saturday.
With the clash against Sydney FC in Hobart needing a moment of magic for a winner to be crowned, up stepped Western United’s talismanic Italian.
Spotting Andrew Redmayne off his line, Diamanti controlled, turned and shot all at once from just in front of the halfway line before watching the ball nestle in the back of the net.
The post-match interview was just as iconic as the goal and the celebration that followed.
“I deserve it. I deserve it because I don’t give up, nothing. I’m very happy for me, honestly. I have to say thank you to myself,” he said.
Scorer of many an outstanding goal during his 500+ game career, Diamanti has repeatedly shown his quality and ability to attempt the spectacular.
Diamanti said he would never shy away from a big moment, particularly in a game where his team needed a match-winning moment.
“I’m not scared of nothing. I try, sometimes you have to try something different when the game is even and it’s tough, you have to think out of the box.”
Up there with the likes of his maiden Western United strike against Melbourne Victory and his pair of chips against Western Sydney Wanderers, this was one of Diamanti’s best strikes in the Green and Black.
It was also his second screamer and late winner of the season after his brilliant stoppage-time free-kick against Wellington Phoenix in Round 6.
That secured a 3-2 win, United’s first of the season and a result that has ultimately sparked a run of form for Western United after the FIFA World Cup break.
READ MORE: ‘The atmosphere was brilliant’ – John Aloisi hails Hobart support
Three wins since mid-December have lifted United to within two points of the top six and just seven points off the top two.
Now at the halfway point of the Isuzu UTE A-League Men season, the upcoming run of games could prove crucial in Western United’s campaign.
John Aloisi will take his side into two consecutive away trips in New South Wales with clashes against Macarthur FC and Western Sydney Wanderers next up before two home fixtures against Adelaide United and Wellington Phoenix, meaning United’s next four games are all against teams inside the top six.
Diamanti will be hoping to produce more pieces of brilliance in those games to ensure the Green and Black continues its form and continues to look up the table.
