Alessandro Del Piero has shaken off tough first season and hopes for greater success in A-League FIVE months is a long time to dwell on what was in many ways the least rewarding season of a decorated career. But after the initial angst had died away, Alessandro Del Piero was already planning to make his second year at Sydney FC a rather more successful venture for the team. If his form all season was imperious, as a collective the end result was impoverished. Which is why, on another perfect Sydney spring morning as we stand on the eve of the A-League's ninth season, Del Piero has spent a lot of time thinking about what this year will bring. "I was a bit upset - we started with a target, and month by month we had to adjust our perception," Del Piero said of his mood at the end of the last campaign. If you have a season like we did last year, for sure you are not happy. Very early, I started to think what I could do better, for myself and for the team. That's why I'm so excited because it's a long wait, and after five months there's nothing like a game. You might wonder what more Del Piero could have brought to the party after 14 goals and five assists for Sydney - let alone umpteen moments of priceless skill - but he seems genuinely quizzical at the thought. "The moment I think I can't do better, it's time to retire," he said. This is the key - for sure I can find ways to do better. I missed a penalty last season for one thing, but I can find ways to work on my physical situation, on my approach to the game. It's also because I have experience of Australia this time, my family and I know everything we have to do and how things work. This should make it easier for me to work on my football. Sydney FC's marquee man Alessandro Del Piero is keen to improve last year's tally of 14 goals. It's not just about me scoring goals though - that's important, but only if it helps the team win more games. All of which brings us to the new season, and it's hard for the Sky Blues' faithful not to be perplexed by the spate of injuries and defeats that have disfigured the last month of preseason. Del Piero is equally bemused, but also pragmatic. The mindset is still unchanged from knowing what it takes to win a World Cup, let alone Serie A. No excuses, just hard work and defiance. "We spent a wonderful time in July and August, in Japan and Italy," he said, shaking his head. Then in the last month we had all these problems - injuries and losses, this is not a perfect situation before the first game. But in any situation, you can learn - you can choose the best way. For us, it doesn't matter if we have lost games. It doesn't matter if we have someone out, whether it's Emmo [Brett Emerton] or anyone. It is 11 v 11, and that is why we have to play with fight, and be proud of our game. We are in a difficult moment, but we cannot be scared. Everyone has weaknesses, everyone has problems - it doesn't matter if we have more or less than the other team. The most important thing is our focus to improve. If I have a weakness with my left foot, I have to spend time on the training field to improve it. If I feel I have a tactical weakness, I must see the coach and have a video session or do more work on the field. This is the key, to work properly. The mental side can help a lot. Your approach is sometimes more than 50 per cent about your mood. It's stirring stuff from Sydney's point of view, especially when he insists that his only focus is on the here and now, with no thoughts yet about what the longer-term future might hold. But the immediate challenge remains immense - for his club, remember, didn't even make the finals last year. Can his team really aim for the title from that position? With a grin, he has a precedent to cite from the club he served for two decades before moving here. "I can't answer yes or no, all I can say is what I hope," he said. Game by game we have to change a lot. But it's happened three years ago with Juventus, from seventh to first in one season. That's why I'm hoping history will repeat itself - seven can be a lucky number, especially in the east! We have to be positive and full of hope. But only on the field will we find the answer.