Crossword Genius

Italian yes man faces... (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sides

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'faces' is the definition.
(I know this)

'italian yes man' is the wordplay.
'italian yes' becomes 'si' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'man' becomes 'des'.
'si'+'des'='SIDES'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sides that I've seen before include "parties" , "Sports teams" , "More than one team" , "camps" , "Takes the part of someone in a dispute" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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