In the wake of the weekend’s ‘Big Blue’ encounter, which Sydney FC won 3-2, questions have been raised over the 12 fouls received by Alessandro Del Piero, including the foul which ultimately led to the match-winning penalty.
There are some people who believe Alessandro falls too quickly, but let this be a lesson to all defenders big and small on positioning and composure.
Del Piero was once regarded as the best striker in the world. This is not only because of his goal scoring abilities, it was also due to the amount of skill he posses both in his heart and his mind.
In this year’s A-League, where his legs are not as sharp as they should be, his mind automatically knows where to position his body between the defending player and the on-coming ball. This is one skill many of our young footballers should be learning from the start.
The fact he keeps getting fouled is a result of the lack of respect shown by the defenders in just jumping in and not using their own minds.
On the weekend, Del Piero was kicked, hacked and tripped all over the park. Maybe a couple of those fouls he over-dramatised, but this is part of the game.
He was protected to a point by the referee, but again, this is the way it is. It’s called respect.
If defenders really want to know how to defend against him, watch some tapes from Europe where they allow the player the ball but don’t let him turn.
Use your mind and think first – don’t just jump in. Imagine where we could be if we always tried to do this?
Think back to Lucas Neil in the World Cup against Italy. If he had stayed on his feet and thought about the situation, the possibilities are endless.
Del Piero should be protected against dumb, disrespectful defenders who only think with their feet and not their minds.
For this league to go forward, we need to start to think out plays before they happen, not only in attack but in defence too.
The master that is Alessandro Del Piero may only be here for two years but the lessons learnt will help the A-League in the long run.
Positioning, composure, vision and passing, plus the knack of knowing where the goal is every time, are the skills that need to be bred into our youth.
I only hope those young players at Sydney FC are absorbing it all.
Be warned defenders of the A-League, Master Alessandro Del Piero is schooling you all!
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