Patrick Brischetto

I am a freelance sports journalist based in Sydney. I am currently employed by Nine.com.au as an Associate News Producer. I have previous experience with Optus Sport, The Sporting News and the Western Sydney Wanderers.

Optus Sport •

Where Florian Wirtz could play, and what his record transfer means for several Liverpool stars

Florian Wirtz has just become Liverpool's most expensive transfer ever, and one of the most expensive moves in English football history.

The 22-year-old German has signed from Bayer Leverkusen for £116m (AU$241 million), and for a fee of that size, will most likely go straight into Arne Slot's starting XI.

It is a huge statement of intent from the champions, who have already added Wirtz's former teammate Jeremie Frimpong and are also close to signing Bournemouth's young gun Milos Kerkez.
Optus Sport •

From Bahrain bungle to Japanese joy: The Socceroos' bumpy road to a sixth straight World Cup

In the end, it was one of the calmest World Cup qualifications Australia has ever had.

In the early hours of Wednesday morning, a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia in a half-empty King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah was enough for the Socceroos to make an incredible sixth straight World Cup; even then the jeopardy was lowered by the fact Australia only needed to avoid a 5-0 defeat to qualify.

This belies the rollercoaster and chaotic nature of their third round of World Cup qualifying, with a dramatic change in coach, and where automatic qualification often seemed a distant dream.

We look back at how Australia managed to get back on the right track and qualify for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Optus Sport •

How Thomas Frank compares to Ange Postecoglou: comparing sacked Spurs boss to potential replacement

Ange Postecoglou's Premier League debut came and went in an exciting 2-2 draw with Thomas Frank's Brentford in west London, which would end up being a showcase of the best and worst of Tottenham Hotspur under the Australian.

Two seasons later, Postecoglou is gone after Spurs' worst Premier League season, and the club has officially made an approach for Frank to be his replacement.
Optus Sport •

'Wouldn't have let us come out of there alive!' - Socceroos captain peels back the curtain on stunning Uruguay experience

In November of 2001, if you listened carefully you could hear it in the faintest of whispers.

Football fans around Australia were finally daring to dream their World Cup qualification nightmare was coming to an end, and that they would be going to the 2002 tournament in Japan and Korea Republic.

They were 1-0 up in their Intercontinental play-off against Uruguay after a 1-0 win at the MCG in front of nearly 85,000 fans, and all they had to do was avoid defeat in Montevideo to end their decades of pain.

Instead, they were treated to Uruguayan hospitality from the moment they touched down in the country, leading to a 3-0 defeat and Australia going back home heartbroken and with tails between their legs.
Optus Sport •

Strikers galore and the missing piece: What every Premier League team needs in the transfer window

With the Premier League transfer window now open, all 20 Premier League clubs are looking to move fast to secure their top targets.

Whether it be champions Liverpool, mid-table Everton or newly-promoted Sunderland, every side has areas where they need to add depth, or positions where they want to add a big name to boost their chances of success.

Outgoings could also complicate matters, with some teams potentially facing a battle to keep their best players.

Optus Sport looks at what every Premier League club needs in the current transfer window.
Optus Sport •

From Sam Kerr to attacking misfiring: Five things Joe Montemurro must sort out as Matildas coach

Joe Montemurro has a big task on his hands after being named the new Matildas head coach.

Signing a deal that takes him to the 2028 Olympic games, it means Australia have ended a 10-month wait to appoint a permanent successor to Tony Gustavsson.

Montemurro must hit the ground running, as there are only nine months and a handful of international windows before the 2026 Asian Cup, which Australia are hosting.

With all of this in mind, here are five things Montemurro must sort out at the helm of the Matildas.
Optus Sport •

Which teams were the biggest underperformers and overperformers in the Premier League?

The 2024-25 Premier League season has finally come to a conclusion, and teams will already be looking at where things went right and where things went wrong in a gruelling campaign for some.

Luck has a lot to do with how well a team perform in a season, with some teams and players being able to score with almost every touch of the ball, and others being able to do anything but put the ball into the back of the net.
Optus Sport •

Premier League report card: Every club’s grade as Liverpool top class and Manchester United fail

The curtain has been drawn on another Premier League season.

It has been full of surprises for the right or wrong reasons, depending on which team you support.

Many didn't expect Arne Slot to take so well to the Premier League, as he returned Liverpool to the summit in his first season in charge.

In much the same way, many of his rivals faltered, sometimes in spectacular fashion, whilst it was also a hugely difficult season for the three promoted teams.

As the dust settles from another gruelling top flight campaign, we grade every side's Premier League season, with teams listed in alphabetical order below.
Optus Sport •

'Just instincts' - Martinez describes how he made the save that broke Australian hearts

It was the moment where time stood still for Australian football fans.

Deep into stoppage time in a round of 16 match against Lionel Messi's Argentina, the Socceroos were down 2-1 and desperately trying to find an equaliser to force extra-time.

Young star Garang Kuol expertly controlled Craig Goodwin's cross and turned his man, having the goal at his mercy.

He got a great shot away on the turn and quickly, but Argentinian goalkeeper Emi Martinez got out incredibly quickly to make a phenomenal save with his body.

It would prove to be the vital save that kept Australia at bay and saw Argentina progress to the quarter-finals, and eventually win the World Cup; he also won goalkeeper of the tournament for his heroics throughout the knockout stage.
Optus Sport •

'The hairdryer came out on steroids!' - Ferdinand reveals worst Sir Alex Ferguson spray at Manchester United

Sir Alex Ferguson is the greatest manager of all time and had a significant impact on countless Manchester United stars and legends over his phenomenal 27 year spell at the club.

He is known for how he brought youth players through the Manchester United ranks, as well as keeping the Red Devils at the top of the Premier League for nearly 20 years, his infamous sprays towards players, coaches, and anyone who met his ire.

Such was the infamy of his sprays, a player on the receiving end was said to be on the end of the 'hairdryer treatment'.
Optus Sport •

Chelsea look to take advantage of distracted rivals; two emotional farewells - Premier League talking points

There is plenty to play for in the penultimate week of the Premier League season, which stretches out from Saturday to Wednesday (AEST) thanks to the FA Cup final.

Much of the focus is going to be on the race for the Champions League, with some of the spots having the potential to be wrapped up this weekend.

Meanwhile, eyes will be on the teams in European finals to see how they approach league matches with little riding on them, and if rivals who have plenty to play for can capitalise on this.

Here are all the key Premier League talking points this weekend, with all of the action available live and exclusive on Optus Sport.
Optus Sport •

How a former Wanderer is helping Sydney FC sign superstars: ‘Biggest club in the country’

Alexander Baumjohann has become a popular figure for Sydney FC fans, helping the club win a championship and a premiership in his first season.

In his new off-field role he has orchestrated some of Sydney's biggest incoming and outgoing transfers in recent times.

With all this in mind, it's easy to forget the German was supposed to do all of these things for their biggest rivals.
Optus Sport •

What Liverpool will we see? Can Newcastle beat the Blues? Premier League talking points

The Premier League is almost done for the season, but there are still many twists and turns left in the most exciting league in the world.

First and second face off in the main event, whilst there are multiple battles in the race for the European places next season.

There is also a fierce local derby to keep fans entertained, with that game also having big implications on the table.

Here are the biggest Premier League talking points from this weekend, with all the action being available live and exclusive on Optus Sport.
Optus Sport •

Chelsea aim to end horror record; Nottingham Forest fight for their Champions League lives: Talking Points

There are just four games left in the Premier League season, with the race for the European places now taking top priority.

A clutch of teams are still well in the mix, with several games this weekend potentially having a massive bearing over which clubs will play in the Champions League next season.

There have been many twists and turns this season, will we see more this weekend?

Optus Sports goes through the biggest talking points ahead of the next round of action.
Optus Sport •

How the Arne Slot machine hit the Premier League jackpot with Liverpool

As far as a debut season can go in the Premier League, it couldn't have gone any better for Arne Slot.

The Dutchman has become just the second man to lead Liverpool to a Premier League title in 32 years, and they did it in some style as a 5-1 win over Spurs at Anfield ensured they would finish top of the tree for the first time in five years.

After the departure of the messianic Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool were expected to undergo a rebuild, but they have blown their opponents out of the water with a mix of efficiency and ruthlessness at times.

It has been a remarkable season for the Reds, and here is how Slot was able to get his Liverpool machine to hit the ultimate jackpot.
Optus Sport •

Liverpool aim to seal title with win over Postecoglou's Spurs, Red Devils look to avoid more embarrassment - Premier League talking points

Another big round of Premier League action awaits, with the title race potentially being decided this weekend.

With Arsenal not in action, Liverpool know a positive result will return the Premier League trophy to Merseyside.

They will face an interesting test against Tottenham Hotspur, who are in an interesting state of flux like Manchester United.

Elsewhere, there are key matches in the race for the Champions League, where teams will look to take advantage of others being in FA Cup action.

Here are all the key talking points ahead of this weekend's Premier League action, live and exclusive on Optus Sport.
Optus Sport •

Liverpool aim to secure title; mouthwatering top four battle between Newcastle and Aston Villa - Premier League talking points

There will be huge permutations at both ends of the Premier League table after this weekend's games.

The two sides battling for the title go up against two teams fighting against the drop on Sunday night and Monday morning (AEST), which could be a hugely consequential night of football.

There are also exciting matches in the battle for the top four, including two in-form sides locking horns.

Here are all of the talking points ahead of this weekend's Premier League games.
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