A chance for revenge in the third New Zealand derby.
The Wellington Phoenix are determined to claim their first win against Auckland FC at Go Media stadium, but are treating the match like any other.
“I’m excited, looking forward to a big crowd and showing what we’ve got,” head coach Giancarlo Italiano told media on Friday.
“It’s pretty much the same process for us every week in terms of training, analysis, there’s no pump-up sessions. It’s business as usual.
“The last two months, there’s been a lot of learning in the group, and if we keep going that way the results will come.”
There are wider implications to the game as the Phoenix chase a spot in the top six.
“I’ve been saying this for the last six weeks, I haven’t changed my tune. It’s game by game.
“The next two games are going to be critical to any aspiration of us finishing in a higher position, but I don’t put that pressure on the players.
“I think the team is capable, when we’re firing at full strength, of putting a run of games together. If we can do that, then we’re going to be very dangerous.”
The budding rivalry has captivated football fans in Aotearoa, and Italiano is looking forward to venturing into the lion’s den again.
“It’s healthy for New Zealand football. Any club is built on great rivalry. I’m a Sampdoria fan, and Sampdoria against Genoa is one of the biggest derbies in the world.
“You need animosity, some sort of talking point, big moments.
“The first derby set up a really good vibe for the second one. There were some comments that got clickbaited and made the event more.
“I’d love it if they were booing for 90 minutes.”
He knows where they must improve to secure a positive result.
“Defensively they’re very good, and they’re top of the table for a reason.
“For us, I think it’s about mitigating and making sure we don’t give errors that lead to big chances.
“Apart from the transitional goal in the first game, we could have defended all the goals we’ve conceded against Auckland.
“The more the group plays together, the more they understand what’s required in the game model and so on, those errors are starting to become minimal.
“It’s not going to be a game where Auckland give up a lot of chances. It might be two, three chances in the game and that’s it.”
Italiano has been boosted by the earlier-than-expected return of Marco Rojas to the squad after injury.
“Marco’s about two weeks ahead of schedule. He’s done really well over the last two weeks.
“There was a bit of aggravation in the ankle, but that hasn’t flared up. He’s given us the confidence that he’s ready to play. He’s someone great to utilise in the game.
“I’m not going to reveal the game plan, but I’d like him to be part of the game tomorrow at some stage. It really depends on how the game pans out.
“If we need a goal, or some creativity, I might give him a little bit longer than what I’d planned.”
New visa signing Chico Geraldes is also in line to make his debut for the club on Saturday.
“Everything’s in place for Chico. I’m happy that we have him as well, he’s going to bring more service to Kosta up top.
“He’ll take part in tomorrow’s game, and probably in the same boat as Marco.”
Club captain Alex Rufer made his own comeback from glandular fever last week from the bench, and Italiano will continue treating him with caution.
“It’s unique. Illness is a different dynamic. Injury, you have an expected return to play.
“There was a bit of uncertainty around recovery, mental fatigue, physical fatigue. It’s been an ongoing discussion, I speak to him every day.
“The good thing is that he wants to play every minute, and wants to lead the team. There’s always a chance of relapse, so that’s the one thing that we’re focused on preventing.
“It’s more about a duty of care and making sure that he’s right. I’m looking more longer term. But he’ll be involved.”
While injuries to senior players have stalled Wellington’s season, there are positives to take from the situation.
“It’s frustrating in one part, because I haven’t been able to use the team that I envisaged at the start of the year.
“On the flipside, a lot of these young guys have come through and had accelerated learning.
“We’ve lasted two months relying on those boys and we’ve been getting results. Not a lot of wins, but it’s very positive.
“To have all these players back filtering back, I’ll be really pleased when they’re all fully fit and ready to go. I’m hoping that’s within the next couple of weeks.”
The round 20 Isuzu UTE A-League match between the Wellington Phoenix and Auckland FC is scheduled to kick-off at Go Media Stadium in Auckland at 5pm Saturday and will be broadcast free-to-air on Sky Open in New Zealand and LIVE on Sky Sport 2 in New Zealand and on Paramount+ in Australia.
Most recent meeting: 7 December 2024 – Auckland FC 2 Wellington Phoenix 1
All-time A-League head-to-head: Phoenix 0W, Auckland 2W & 0D.
Wellington Phoenix squad (two to be omitted): 1. Josh OLUWAYEMI (gk), 3. Corban PIPER, 4. Scott WOOTTON, 5. Fin ROA CONCHIE, 6. Tim PAYNE, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 8. Paulo RETRE, 9. Hideki ISHIGE, 12. Chico GERALDES, 14. Alex RUFER (c), 15. Isaac HUGHES, 18. Lukas KELLY-HEALD, 21. Marco ROJAS, 23. Luke SUPYK, 25. Kazuki NAGASAWA, 27. Matt SHERIDAN, 29. Luke BROOKE-SMITH, 30. Alby KELLY-HEALD (gk), 39. Jayden SMITH, 41. Nathan WALKER.
Unavailable: 11. Stefan COLAKOVSKI (injured), 17. Gabriel SLOANE-RODRIGUES (injured), 19. Sam SUTTON (suspended).
Auckland FC squad (two to be omitted): 1. Michael WOUD, 2. Hiroki SAKAI, 4. Nando PIJNAKER, 5. Tommy SMITH, 6. Louis VERSTRAETE, 7. Cameron HOWIESON, 8. Luis TOOMEY, 9. Max MATA, 10. Guillermo MAY, 11. Marlee FRANÇOIS, 12. Alex PAULSEN, 14. Liam GILLION, 15. Francis DE VRIES, 17. Callan ELLIOT, 18. Finn MCKENLAY, 21. Jesse RANDALL, 22. Jake BRIMMER, 25. Neyder MORENO, 27. Logan ROGERSON, 28. Luis Felipe GALLEGOS.
