Farinella keen on making his mark at APIA

Ahead of their big clash with Wollongong Wolves this weekend, Football NSW spoke to APIA Leichhardt rising star Franco Farinella on the first half of the season, his form and his goals for his career. 

After a year away, Farinella re-joined his beloved APIA in the off-season, with the fan favourite speaking happily about his return.

It’s honestly been fantastic to return to APIA after a season away,” he said.

“There’s something truly special about being back in this dressing room.

“This is undoubtedly the best dressing room in the league, with a great mix of talent, passion, and camaraderie.

“From the moment we step into training, there’s a real sense of togetherness.

“Everyone is on the same page, whether it’s pushing each other to improve during training sessions or getting ready for match day, the energy and vibes are always high.

“We know we’re not just playing for the badge, but for each other as well.

“I’m also incredibly grateful to Franco (Parisi) and David (D’Apuzzo) for giving me the opportunity to come back and contribute to the team.

“To be able to repay their trust through my performances on the field is something I hold dearly.

“It’s a real blessing to be back, and I’m looking forward to continuing to grow with the squad this season.”

APIA have, by their standards, experienced a mixed campaign so far, sitting fifth on the ladder at the halfway stage, with eight wins, three draws and four defeats after 15 matches.

“I think the team has made tremendous progress so far this season,” Farinella said when asked about 2025 so far.

“We’ve really started to find our rhythm as a squad, and I believe we’re just scratching the surface of our potential.

“While we’ve had some solid performances, I still don’t think the league has seen us at our best yet, which is an exciting thought.

“We’ve been working hard both on and off the pitch, and as we continue to build on our understanding and chemistry, I feel we’re only going to get stronger.

“The second half of the season holds a lot of promise for us, and I’m confident that we’ll continue to elevate our level of play.

“We’re not just competing to be contenders – we’re aiming to win at the highest level across all competitions.

“The belief in the squad is unwavering, and that’s crucial in any successful campaign.”

APIA ended the first half of the season with a strong victory, prevailing 2-0 over rivals Sydney Olympic, with the second calmly scored by Farinella, who has enjoyed a strong campaign thus far.

“Scoring in a big game like that is always an incredible feeling, especially in a derby against a team like Olympic,” Farinella said when asked about the feeling of scoring last weekend.

“There’s an extra level of intensity and pride when you score in a game that matters so much.

“But for me, the most important thing is securing the three points for the team.

“The win was massive for us in terms of keeping momentum, and that’s what we focus on – the collective result.

“That said, full credit has to go to the entire team for their performance on the day.

“We had a solid game plan, and the preparation leading up to the match was spot on.

“The way we executed our strategy on the field was brilliant, and I was fortunate enough to get on the score sheet.

“It was definitely a nice bonus to contribute in that way, but the team performance as a whole was what really made the win special.”

Looking ahead, APIA will travel on Saturday evening to face Wollongong Wolves, with revenge in mind after coughing up a 3-1 lead to concede a point to their opponents back in Round One.

“I’m feeling good and confident ahead of our trip to Wollongong this weekend,” said Farinella.

“It’s always a tough place to play, but we’ve learned a lot from our previous encounter.

“In Round 1, we were in a strong position, up 3-1, but we allowed a few lapses in concentration and lost some key moments, which allowed them to claw their way back into the game.

“We’ve done a lot of work since then, and we’ve grown as a team in terms of our composure and game management.

“I’m confident in our preparation heading into this game.

“We know what we need to do to take the three points back to Sydney, and I think we’re better equipped to handle the challenge now.

“It’s all about staying focused and executing our game plan, and I’m sure we’ll come out on top this time.”

Meanwhile, with Farinella impressing once more in the NPL Men’s NSW competition, the move to an A-League Men’s side is a possibility.

But, currently, the mature 20-year-old has just one focus – winning it all with APIA Leichhardt.

Ultimately, my goal is to keep progressing in my career and move to the A-League and beyond,” he said.

“But for now, my focus is entirely on the current season with APIA.

“I’m taking it one game at a time, making sure that I’m in the best possible shape both physically and mentally to contribute to the team.

“As a team, our goal is to win it all this season.

“We’re hungry for success, and that drive is something that motivates me every day.

“On a personal level, I want to ensure that I’m always performing at my best and helping the team reach our goals.

“To do that, it’s all about maintaining my fitness, staying sharp, and making sure I’m ready to compete at the highest level for every game.

Watch Farinella and APIA take on Wollongong Wolves on Saturday night, with kickoff 7pm at WIN Stadium, and the match broadcasted live on Football NSW’s YouTube Channel.

-By Jack George