Glory braces for Del Piero magic

Del Piero has scored two goals in three games this season, with last week's winner against Western Sydney Wanderers lifting the Sky Blues to their first points of the campaign.

The Italian great will celebrate his 38th birthday next month but age has not robbed him of his renowned magic.

Pantelidis isn't foreign to coming up against big-name Sydney marquees.

In his first game for Melbourne Victory seven years ago, Pantelidis could only watch on as Trinidad and Tobago star Dwight Yorke scored against him.

Pantelidis is desperate to ensure Del Piero doesn't enjoy a similar result.

"I've seen him and he's been brilliant," Pantelidis said of Del Piero.

"He's probably carried them somewhat and he's deserving of his marquee status.

"Hopefully we can keep him quiet this weekend.

"My first game was against Dwight Yorke in the first year of the A-league and he scored against me.

"So if I'm lucky enough to play and I'm marking Alessandro, hopefully he doesn't score.

"But if we focus too much on him, they'll probably get the better of us."

Perth sits equal top of the table with Adelaide United and Newcastle Jets after Sunday's 2-0 win over Melbourne Heart.

Pantelidis played solidly in the heart of defence in that game and the 29-year-old hopes he can hold his spot even if fellow centre-back Bas van den Brink is ready to return from a calf injury.

Japanese midfielder Ryo Nagai and star Glory striker Shane Smeltz will miss Sunday's encounter due to hamstring injuries.