___   >>>   click here to see the launch pics 

At today’s Sydney launch of season eight of the A-League held at Parramatta Stadium, Durante briefly met the Italian great in the changing rooms before the event.

The pair spoke in Italian and bantered about this weekend's clash in New Zealand  before Del Piero told a very large media contingent that he hoped to return with a smile from Wellington after the teams square off at Westpac.

“I am happy and I hope I’m happier when I return [from Wellington]. If Durante lets me!” Del Piero told launch MC Mel McLaughlan when asked about the game.

When asked to comment Durante said the job of shackling the Juventus great would be given to another Australian member of the Phoenix team.

“We had a bit of a chat before today’s launch but only briefly and my Italian’s terrible so we kept it in English,” the Phoenix skipper told au.fourfourtwo.com.

“He’s an outstanding personality and we all know what he can do. We’re just going to play our normal game but obviously he’s a big influence on what Sydney do and I guess the holding midfielder Manny Muscat will have a big job in containing him.

"It'll be a bit surreal to play against him. But once the whistle goes it'll be down to business and he'll be just another player. 

“But to be honest we haven’t spoken too much about what they do. We’re just focusing on what we do. I’m sure later in the week we’ll see what we need to do to combat them."

Durante urged other clubs to sign big names to raise the profile of the league overseas through TV rights.

It’s been an eventful pre-season for the Australian born skipper of Phoenix. A trip to India for a series of games exposed the playing squad to variable quality of pitches and conditions.

And a fiery friendly with the Jets where a host of players were red-carded brought them a few unflattering headlines in Australia.

But the off-season has brought the squad together and unearthed some gems for the future.

“Yes it has been eventful,” Durante said with a laugh.

“Players are itching to get out there now. It’s a long off-season. And guys like Louie Fenton he’s very, very exciting and push his claim to start against Sydney FC.”

The winger was one of the discoveries by Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert, who is starting to introduce young players from the club’s newly formed academy structure.

“He’s a winger, he’s very positive, gets the ball and like any young player is quick and he’s also skillful," said Durante of Fenton.

The Phoenix are likely to favour a 4-1-3-2 meaning the likes of Fenton can play off the two main strikers.

 “I’d say he’s better developed than a Marco Rojas," added Durante.

"Maybe not as a tricky but his work rate is fantastic and his attitude is fantastic and he could be one to watch out for.”

   ___   >>>   click here to see the launch pics