He is fully focused on getting Sydney FC into the finals but Alessandro Del Piero is well aware Sunday’s clash with Perth Glory could be his last game for the club.
He is fully focused on getting Sydney FC into the Hyundai A-League finals but Alessandro Del Piero is well aware Sunday’s clash with Perth Glory could be his last home game for the club.
Del Piero, who turns 40 in November, has yet to settle on his future with the Sky Blues with reports the board are leaning towards not offering the Italian legend a new contract.
It’s added even greater significance to Sunday’s final round clash, with Sydney needing a draw – or Newcastle to slip up against Adelaide – to secure their spot in the top six.
Sydney will also pay tribute to midfielder Terry McFlynn who is retiring at the end of the season while it will also be the final game for Glory skipper Jacob Burns.
While Del Piero says he is still talking about the options of a third season with the club, he conceded Sunday may be his last in front of his home fans.
“It could be honestly at the moment,” Del Piero said on Thursday.
“We have already had a chat with the owners and with (chairman) Scott (Barlow) and we are ready to talk at the end of the season.
“We will do the best thing for everyone, but I don’t think about that at the moment.
“Sunday will be a great game because there are many different things around this game. But we just enjoy Burns’ retirement, McFlynn’s retirement and hopefully a win.”
While Perth’s finals hopes ended a few weeks ago, Del Piero says he is still expecting a fierce tussle with Glory hoping to send Burns out a winner and avoid the wooden spoon.
“They have an opportunity for one game to say something to everyone because it was not a lucky season for them and all the time against Perth it’s a fight and it will be tough for sure,” the 2006 World Cup winner said.
“We have the future in our hands and this is the most important thing, in both situations if Newcastle win or don’t we have the future in our hands.
“We have to prepare our game for Sunday and be focussed on Sunday only because there is no other way for me and for us it’s very, very important to don’t think about the Friday.”
Del Piero said he was also ready for his one-on-one battle with the fiery Burns, who is likely to be given a man-marking role on the Sydney skipper.
“I’ve prepared double shin pads, two in the front and two in the back,” Del Piero joked of his tussle with Burns.
“I really enjoy playing against him, it will be an honour to play against him on Sunday, it’s been a great career for him.”
Sydney FC v Perth Glory
Sunday 13 April
5.00pm kick-off
Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Click here to purchase tickets.
Follow the match on Twitter using the hash-tag #SYDvPER and #ThanksTerry15