Phoenix faces Del Piero dilemma

But Italy veteran Alessandro Del Piero is far from the host's only concern, coach Ricki Herbert and captain Andrew Durante agree.

Del Piero scored 290 goals in a 19 year career with Juventus, and was part of Italy's FIFA World Cup winning team of 2006.

His two-year signing with Sydney has boosted the club's profile, and that of the A-League, since it was first announced early last month.

But Herbert was wary of isolating the 37-year-old striker as the only danger facing Phoenix.

"I don't think there can be too much sole concentration on Del Piero," Herbert said.

"We hugely respect what he's done and what he could potentially do in the A-League. He's an incredibly talented player. But we've got to get it right ourselves, otherwise other players in the team will be a problem for us."

Herbert believes Sydney has recruited well with a new-look front-line which offers speed and variation.

"If we can stop the supply of ball into them, that's certainly going to help. If we don't, we're probably going to have double the problems."

Durante's take on Del Piero is equally cautious.

"It's not all just about Del Piero," he said after training.

"He'll have the respect he deserves, because he's a quality player. But I don't think anyone's going to be starstruck at all."

Durante again marshals an experienced back-four including Ben Sigmund and Tony Lochhead, the only change coming from the introduction of Leo Bertos at right-back after Tim Brown's retirement.

Defensive midfielder Manny Muscat will also have an important role to play.

"Manny will have most of the job on Del Piero, and we all know what Manny's like, he'll tackle anyone and win the ball, no matter who it is," Durante said.

Phoenix also brings something of a new look this season.

Benjamin Totori, All Whites striker Jeremy Brockie and former Belgium international Stein Huysegems provide plenty of options up front.

Herbert has also been impressed with the work of 19-year-old winger Louis Fenton, who looks likely to start as Paul Ifill works his way back to match fitness after a pre-season knee injury.

Just over a year ago, Fenton was learning his footballing trade, playing state league across the Tasman in Victoria.

It's been something of a meteoric rise for the young winger, who admits it's been difficult to take it all in.

"It hasn't had time to settle in yet, it's happened so fast," Fenton said.

"Every day something new's been happening for me. This time a year ago I was in Melbourne, playing state league, I was just trying to have fun, hoping a chance might come in the A-League."

That chance came as a result of the Phoenix's new owners' commitment to developing local talent, with Fenton's time in the club's new school of excellence culminating in an under-21 contract earlier this year.

"From what I've seen to date, he's probably been the best young one we've had at the club," Herbert said.

"His work ethic is top drawer, he's a good local talent and I think he'll be a handful in the league. When you compare him to the other young ones we've played against, he's probably right up there."

With mentors such as Ifill, Fenton says he's learned a lot very quickly.

"He's been a pro for a long time, he plays in the same position and he helps me out," he said.

"He gives me advice about the players I could be playing up against, their strengths and weaknesses and what I need to do to play a good game."

Putting that into practice against Del Piero is something like a dream come true.

"I've seen a bit of him on TV and at the World Cup. He's a top player, one of the best in the world, and to have the chance to play against him would be fantastic."

Meanwhile, Herbert believes that variation is a key difference to the side which beat Sydney 3-2 in last season's play-off elimination final.

"If we can add a little bit of a different dimension to the goal-scoring department, our season will be better still," he said.