Brisbane Roar highlight Sydney FC's deficiencies in 5-2 defeat at Allianz Stadium on Boxing Day Former Sydney FC star Dimitri Petratos scores a hat-trick on his return to Allianz Stadium as Brisbane Roar puts five goals past a hapless Sky Blues. The contrast between the two sides was stark on Boxing Day. SYDNEY FC coach Frank Farina rued that his side weren't "at the races" against Brisbane Roar - but is that the issue for the Sky Blues? Perhaps they might not ever make it to the gate. The signs of vulnerability that they showed against cellar dwellers Melbourne Heart and Wellington Phoenix in previous weeks were ruthlessly exposed in a 5-2 loss against a Brisbane Roar outfit missing its key striker at Allianz Stadium on Boxing Day. Despite taking a 1-0 lead thanks to an Alessandro Del Piero free-kick against the run of the play, Sydney FC was simply not on the same ballpark against a side with 54 per cent of possession, 69 per cent of territory away from home, who completed 520 passes to Sydney FC's 352 passes. Frank Farina says Sydney FC were given a football lesson by Brisbane Roar. For most of the contest, players wearing Sky Blue were chasing shadows against a Roar side capable of moving the ball with delightful speed. A stark contrast to a Sydney side that looks cumbersome, tired and appears to lack a discernible pattern to its play. "We were shown a football lesson tonight, there's no hiding from that fact," Sydney coach Frank Farina said. They were the better team, they were more mobile, moved the ball better and we couldn't cope with it. We were slow in getting close to players and they could pick us off. I just don't think we were at the races today on all fronts. The side's ageing line-up might be contributing to Sydney's inconsistency or lack of a pattern. Farina had an underdone Brett Emerton for 60 minutes, while Alessandro Del Piero lasted 45 minutes. 17,000 expectant home fans could rightfully expect more from a line-up bursting with A-League know-how. It wasn't a pleasant night for Alessandro Del Piero and Sydney FC. "It's unfortunate Alessandro had to go off at half-time again, but that's life," he said. I think it's a similar thing whether it's his back or whatever, but things tightened up. Brisbane, on the contrary, is showing all the hallmarks of a side putting down a claim for the premiership and showed how incongruous it would have been had Sydney moved into second spot last weekend if they had won over Wellington. Matt McKay was in a league of his own, while Thomas Broich took the mickey out of the home side at times. The difference with the Roar is there's a style and players with the technique and temperament to implement it. In Besart Berisha's absence, Roar was able to reorganise with Henrique and Dimitri Petratos. To add insult to injury, the former Sydney FC youngster tore his old side to shreds. Things are bubbling nicely for the two-time A-League champions - and Mike Mulvey knows it. "We have one of the best strikers in the land, he's at home and we scored five and it could've been eight," he said. I thought it was a very dominant display. Some of the football was just beautiful to watch and it was a joy to see the interpassing and the interchanging of positions and the finish at the end of it. Thomas (Broich) was the orchestrator tonight and he had players running off him all over the place. If there's any sign of the standards Roar is setting, you only had to hear the disgust in Mulvey's voice discussing Sydney FC's second goal when the game was well and truly in the bag.