Sydney FC's Alessandro Del Piero stepped out against Adelaide United earlier this year but will miss a trip to Hindmarsh Stadium. Picture: Gregg Porteous. Source: The Daily Telegraph
SYDNEY FC drawcard Alessandro Del Piero needs better protection from referees or he'll continue to miss A-League games, his coach Frank Farina says.
Farina today confirmed the Italian had been ruled out of the clash against Adelaide United at Hindmarsh despite frantic efforts to ensure Del Piero would recover.
Sydney's away clash with Adelaide United on New Year's Eve lost its major attraction with the Italian megastar ruled out with calf and achilles soreness.
Farina says the injuries are a result of Del Piero being repeatedly fouled during the Sky Blues' 1-0 win against the Central Coast Mariners.
"Alessandro has pulled up really sore ... and he isn't fit to travel to Adelaide," Farina said on Sunday.
"He got fouled eight or 10 times during the (Mariners) match and with the short turnaround, he hasn't been able to train and he's not fit to play.
"It's a blow for us and a shame for the people of Adelaide but I think there needs to be better protection for him on the field.
"We play a physical game and Alessandro is a big boy who can handle himself but he is getting kicked repeatedly and if that continues he will miss games through injury."
Farina also revealed Jason Culina won’t be travelling.
MEANWHILE, Adelaide United say out-of-favour striker Sergio van Dijk may soon leave the A-League club.
The Reds host Sydney FC on New Year's Eve at Hindmarsh with van Dijk again overlooked at selection.
The 2010-11 Golden Boot winner has played just three games this season and told the club he wants to leave, with Indonesia or Thailand possible destinations.
"Sergy is still talking about Indonesia so hopefully we get some sort of answer to where he's headed in the next week or so," Reds coach John Kosmina told reporters on Sunday.
"The club have spoken to Serg and they are confidential (talks) ... it has been fairly open dialogue between the two parties.
"Serg has been quite open and said he wants to go for family reasons."
Van Dijk's uncertain future comes as Adelaide try to return to the winner's list, having lost their past two games but still clinging to second spot on the ladder.
But Kosmina suggested the recent defeats were beneficial.
"You have got to expect to lose games throughout the course of the season," Kosmina said.
"Not much has changed, the players are still the same players and I think the last couple of weeks will probably draw their focus back in.
"It is probably a better assessment of where we are as a group as well, how the way things have panned out the last couple of weeks.
"The season was almost going too well and maybe we needed a kick up the backside."
Kosmina was impressed by Sydney in their upset win against ladder leaders Central Coast last start.
"They are a better team than they were when we played them five or six weeks ago, much better," he said.
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