The Sky Blues play their final game against Reggiana on Wednesday.
Sydney FC coach Frank Farina says the club’s Italian tour has been invaluable to their summer preparations for the 2013/14 A-League season.
The Sky Blues have been based in the town of Jesolo for the past three weeks and bid farewell to the Stadio Comunale Picchi, which has doubled as their training headquarters and match venue during the trip.
Alessandro Del Piero’s popularity in Italy has drawn in bumper crowds for practice sessions, friendlies, media engagements and celebrations, aiding the club’s commercial appeal in Europe, and Farina hailed his side for their application during a punishing schedule on and off the field.
“It’s been an invaluable three weeks,” Farina told Football Australia. “We’ve got a couple of injuries but nothing major, (but) the time together with the six games, the training has been fantastic, conditions have been great so I think in terms of preparation it’s been ideal.”
Sydney contest their sixth and final friendly of the tour against Regiana at the Mapei Stadium on Wednesday night and Farina wants one final flourish before they return to Australia.
“It’s important (to put in a good performance against Reggiana) but I think it’s more important that we get through the game with no knocks or injuries and the boys will head into a week off before we start again on the 2nd (September).”
COMMENTS