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Sydney FC are a bit like a character in an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel. Outwardly exuding a swaggering confidence, on the inside the fragile Sky Blues often seem a mere catastrophe away from spectacular self-destruction.
The script seemed set in stone when Alessandro Del Piero arrived in the Harbour City last season with more theatrics than a Baz Luhrmann production. Sydney promptly lost their opening two games, sparking a chain reaction that was more farce than Hollywood blockbuster.
What happened last season
When Del Piero curled home a spectacular free-kick in front of more than 35,000 ecstatic fans at the Sydney Football Stadium, A-League officials nodded knowingly at the arrival of a genuine superstar.
Only problem was that his teammates were of a decidedly blue-collar variety, and by the time Central Coast smashed the Sky Blues in a 7-2 bloodbath in Gosford, it was clear Sydney’s “all eggs in Del Piero’s basket” tactics looked doomed to fail.
A series of low points ensued – the stunning 3-2 home capitulation to bitter rivals Melbourne Victory and coach Ian Crook’s subsequent resignation, defeat on home soil in the derby to the Wanderers and a late-season rally which predictably petered out into a 3-1 thumping by Brisbane Roar that ended Sydney’s season.
Privately some of his teammates are said to have resented the Del Piero sideshow; publicly not one of them looked like matching his 14 goals or overall influence on the pitch.
What happened in the off-season
Either coach Frank Farina has instigated a canny pre-season strategy of lulling A-League opponents into a false sense of security, or Sydney FC are in serious trouble.
A somewhat bizarre trip to Japan result in a 2-1 loss to a mediocre Sagan Tosu, but it’s recent results against domestic opposition which really raised eyebrows.
A 3-0 loss to Wellington Phoenix was followed by a 2-1 defeat to Super League side St George – though admittedly Farina employed a team stacked with teenagers and triallists – before the Sky Blues slumped to three straight defeats against Newcastle, Brisbane and Perth to round out their pre-season ‘preparations’.
If the results don’t make for grim reading then the injury list sure does. New signing Corey Gameiro injured himself filming a Fox Sports promotional video, joining veteran Terry McFlynn, Terry Antonis, Peter Triantis, key defender Pascal Bosschaart and Tiago Calvano in the casualty ward.
Gameiro was far from the highest profile addition to Farina’s squad, with the one-time glamour side luring the enigmatic Nick Carle back from the Middle East.
Socceroos striker Richard Garcia could prove equally valuable – particularly in the absence of the departed Joel Griffiths – while Pedj Bojic and Serbian defender Nikola Petkovic will strengthen the back four.
Why Sydney FC fans should be excited about the 2013/14 season
Lucas Neill has left? Bosschaart has turned his back on the E-Street Band to stick around in Sydney? Members get free public transport?
In all seriousness, low expectations are difficult to disappoint and even the most optimistic of Sky Blues supporter would be hard-pressed to deny that Sydney will struggle.
Nevertheless, there are still a few potential diamonds in the rough. The trio of Antonis, Triantis and Joel Chianese will all be better for their experiences last season, while defender Marc Warren could well prove the break-out star this time around.
Serb defender Petkovski looks uncompromising at the back, while Carle, Brett Emerton and the explosive Yairo Yau all know their way around a football pitch.
And then there’s Del Piero. The Italian stood head and shoulders above his teammates last season, and if the 38-year-old (!) skipper can reprise that form, it’s not all doom and gloom at the SFS.
The main man that can carry Sydney FC hopes
If he can stay fit and motivated, captain Del Piero should prove the key man for Sydney once again.
He’s as slow as an injured tortoise and tracks back with about as much urgency as one, but the World Cup winner possesses the finest football brain in the competition and at times ran rings around his opponents last season.
His precision from set pieces also came in handy and opponents would be well advised to avoid fouling around the edge of the box – lest the former Juventus star steps up with a glint of menace in his eye.
Verdict – Mid-table
Farina may have managed to steady the ship last season, but it’s hard to see Sydney finish above mid-table – at best – this time around.
Bereft of a top-class goalkeeper, beset by a seemingly constant procession of injuries and relying heavily on the oldest talisman in the A-League, the Moore Park mob look set to struggle.
Highlight fixtures against the Wanderers and Victory could yield results, while Sydney fans should reasonably expect their side to compete with the likes of Newcastle, Melbourne Heart and Wellington.
The finals look beyond an outfit which will do well to avoid becoming a one-man team, though, in Farina’s first full season in charge.