AAP
Fit-again Sydney FC superstar Alessandro Del Piero says the Sky Blues need to put their horror loss to Central Coast behind them and approach Saturday's match against Melbourne Victory with no fear.
Del Piero sat out Sydney's 7-2 A-League loss at Bluetongue Stadium due to hamstring complaints but is confident he will be ready to return against the Victory at Allianz Stadium.
The Italian striker trained with the side on Thursday and said after sitting through and analysing the heavy defeat the players now had to move on.
"We talked a lot, I don't think too much, but a lot about last Saturday," Del Piero said.
"It's a really bad loss for us. We are really disappointed about what's happened. But Saturday we have another match.
"If we think too much about last Saturday, maybe we go on the field with some fear or something and it's not positive."
Asked what areas Sydney needed to improve, Del Piero offered a light-hearted response.
"What? Maybe everything if we saw the last match," he said.
"No, we did some good things ... but in the end the game last Saturday for us was a very, very bad day.
"That's why I try to joke because if we think about it too much maybe there will be much pressure on us.
"We understand it's not a good day for us but we have another game on Saturday."
Del Piero will be assessed again after training on Friday but both he and coach Ian Crook were optimistic of his chances of playing.
"I have a good feeling for Saturday," Del Piero said, adding he was motivated to put in an energetic performance for his team.
As well as Del Piero, the Sky Blues could receive other badly-needed boosts with defenders Pascal Bosschaart, Adam Griffiths and Fabio all training on Thursday and a chance to return.
Former Socceroos midfielder Jason Culina is not ready though, despite pulling up well after he was involved in a practice match on Tuesday.
Sydney will need to improve sharply to match a Victory side that looked to find its attacking spark in Monday's 3-2 win over Wellington.
"I would say that's the first time we've seen them click into gear," Crook said of Ange Postecoglou's side.
"They were very impressive. That's something we have to be aware of but not frightened of.
"... You don't forget getting beat 7-2 overnight ... next week it will still be on people's minds.
"But you need to lessen it each time and the best way to lessen that is with results."
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