"It's a loss, but Manny [Muscat] played there for an hour last weekend and Tom Doyle did well on the left side, so we've got cover. It's only for a few games, hopefully, so we should be all right."
Despite taking no points from their season-opener, Lia said, the heads haven't dropped.
"We played well in the weekend and we just have to keep that going. It's only one game. Last year, we lost the first game too and went on to finish pretty well, so we're still confident."
The 5255km journey to Perth across three time zones presents challenges of its own, with the Phoenix having won on just four of their previous 13 visits to Western Australia.
"It's definitely different from the rest of the away trips, with the time difference," said Lia.
"We only do it once this year so it's good to get it out of the way.
"We won there last year so we can do it," he said.
Few changes are likely to the Phoenix starting XI, with Muscat expected to move to centre-back to cover Durante's absence and Doyle earning a start at left-back.
New striker Jeffrey Sarpong has impressed at training this week and may force his way into the starting XI at the expense of Blake Powell.
Ben Sigmund will lead the side, with Lia expecting a different type of leadership.
"Dura leads by example. He doesn't rant and rave, and calms the boys down a lot. Now Siggy's got the armband, it'll be an entirely different kettle of fish."
The two sides will also be playing for a new trophy, having collaborated to initiate the Long Distance Derby Cup, acknowledging the longest distance any two clubs travel to play one another in domestic football anywhere in the world.
The trophy will be decided over the three regular-season clashes between the two, with wins, draws and goal difference determining the winner.
Glory v Phoenix: Perth, 9pm tomorrow
