Perth's Jacob Burns says it is pointless trying to man-mark Alessandro Del Piero at ANZ Stadium tomorrow. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser
PERTH hardman Jacob Burns says it will be a feather in his cap if he can keep Alessandro Del Piero quiet when Glory plays Sydney FC at ANZ Stadium in Sydney tomorrow.
The Perth captain says he has watched Del Piero closely in his three games so far and admits he is in awe of the former Italy and Juventus great who has shown he is a class above any other player in the competition despite being near the end of his fabulous career.
While Burns says he is not on a personal mission, he is hopeful he can do what no other player in the A-League has been able to do -- keep Del Piero quiet.
"From what I have seen, he is still a wonderful player. He is still so sharp and what he does on the ball is just fantastic," Burns said before boarding a flight to Sydney yesterday.
"He has scored two goals in three games and that just shows the quality of the man. If he doesn't create too much or score any goals then, for sure, it will be a feather in my cap."
However, Burns said he won't be going out of his way to look for Del Piero on the field and that Perth will not attempt to man-mark him.
"This is not about me versus him," he said. "I've got my job to do and there is a lot more to it than just defending and tackling.
"Of course, in the role I play I'll engage with him but because he likes to play in behind the line, our two central defenders will also come into play.
"It's pointless assigning a man-marker to him, in all honesty."
Not surprisingly, Burns admitted Glory had been working hard to ensure it did not give Del Piero too much of a sniff at goal from dead-ball situations. The Italian's first goal came via a stunning free-kick against Newcastle and last week he netted from the penalty spot, albeit after having two bites at it. "Without a doubt it is something we are well aware of," Burns said. "He has looked absolutely deadly from any distance with his free kicks.
"Even the ones he has missed have not missed by much, so we have to be careful not to give away anything silly in and around the penalty area. We will have to be on our toes for sure."
To his credit, Burns says he won't change his style of play just because he will be fronting up against Del Piero. The former Socceroo has a reputation for toughness and giving no quarter. His tackling can be ferocious at times.
Burns is also sitting on three yellow cards after three matches and two more will see him automatically suspended for a game.
"People who know me know I don't change," he said. "They understand it is part and parcel of the position I play in.
"It's the way I have always played and it is something that has served me well during my career.
"I'm just looking forward to coming back to my old home town and having my family watch me play though I don't know how I am going to get all of them tickets."
Burns also admitted he and his teammates were "sick and tired" of the continual focus on the way Glory plays. Perth is regarded as a side that relies on the physical aspect to get over the top of its opponents.
"That is very unfair," Burns said. "We are tired of that talk, to be honest. There is more to this team than its physicality and we don't get enough credit for it.
"Sure, we have steel in abundance, but we have incredibly talented players on the ball, we have creative players. We play with a lot of style."
Despite its slow start to the season, Burns was full of praise for Sydney FC.
"Once the younger guys learn how to play with Del Piero and sort out the combination, they'll be right in the thick of things."
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