The World Cup winner ripped shoulder ligaments off the bone in a challenge with the towering South Australian in their 2-2 draw last weekend.

But Costanzo sees no need to apologise despite putting the pint-sized star out the game for a month or more.

“It’s just one of those things that happens in football,” he told au.fourfourtwo.com today. “He’s not the first player to get injured in a game and he won’t be the last.”

The midfielder was in awe of the skills of the samba star during the match and relished the opportunity to play against Juninho.

And he insists there was nothing malicious in the tackle that put him out of action.

“It wasn’t a physical game,” he said. “It was one of those tackles I do regularly – I came in from the side and actually thought it was a pretty good tackle.

“But then I saw him fall awkwardly and now I understand he could be out of action for a couple of months or so.”

He added: “It’s unfortunate but we have to move on. Juninho’s a fantastic player. To be able to play against him and mark him was just marvellous.

“These kind of players don’t come along too often but now I have to look forward to our next match.”

Adelaide face Melbourne Victory this weekend in their first home game of the season. The club are hoping for a big crowd but face stiff competition for fans from an AFL final and the Royal Show also taking place.

But United are out to claim their first win of the season – and hope the fans turn out to cheer them on.

They’re hopeful of having the edge over a weakened Victory side plagued by injuries and international call-ups.

“This will be a big game for us,” said Costanzo. “We’ve heard rumours that they’ve got injury problems and international call-ups but they’ve got a great squad.

“Archie Thompson might be out but they still have Danny Allsopp who was awesome last season. They have a quality team with strength in midfield with players like Kevin Muscat and a strong defence.

“And they will have players coming into the first team as well who will be difficult.”

He added: “Hopefully we have the supporter base now to compete with other events on this weekend and come to see a fantastic game.

“We aren’t far off our first win. They have been pretty hard games so far but we’ve come away with draws both times – and we’ve never taken a point away from Sydney before.

“Hopefully we can start a winning streak in the game against Victory on Friday.”