Wellington Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano is determined to oversee a New Zealand derby victory for the club’s supporters.
The Phoenix are squaring off against Auckland FC at Go Media Stadium in Auckland on Saturday evening in the fifth instalment of the fledgling rivalry.
The Black Knights have won the four previous encounters, including a drama-filled 2-1 win over the Nix at Sky Stadium last month.
“Any victory against them would be satisfying,” Italiano told media after training on Friday.
“Outside of Auckland I think most of New Zealand is cheering for us. I haven’t heard anyone from outside of Auckland saying they like Auckland.
“But it’s more important for our fans. I think they deserve it.
“Losing four is probably not a reflection of where both teams are at, but we didn’t capitalise on our chances and they did and that’s why they had four wins.”
Italiano wouldn’t be satisfied with a first point in the New Zealand derby. He’s after all three points.
“I’m not there to get a draw, we need to win.
“Because what’s important is we want to achieve the maximum result and position on the table, and we need to win away games.
“I’m going there with the mentality that we’re going to try and perform our best, play our best and I’m confident we’ll be at our best and that should be good enough to win.”
He is “always confident going into derbies”, but concedes last week’s win over Adelaide United was much-needed.
“I didn’t want to go into the game with three defeats. I don’t think the team deserved that on the back of their performances.
“We’ve been very good in the majority of games just not good for the whole 90, which is what is needed in this style, but last week was a good step towards that.
“The boys have confidence. I think they had confidence prior to that, I just think it was a good statement against Adelaide.
“Unfortunately that doesn’t count for anything now. It’s now about the next 90 and we have to respect Auckland.”
The Phoenix have addressed last month’s derby defeat to Auckland and Wellington’s struggles when the visitors were reduced to 10 and then nine men.
“I’ve spoken to the group about evolving and part of that evolution is maturing as a collective.
“I felt as though where we were a little bit undone in the last game against Auckland we played the moment and played the last 30 minutes like it was the last minute every minute.
“We’ve addressed that I think there’s a sense of maturity coming within the group now so I’m really looking forward to the challenge tomorrow.”
Both of Auckland’s goals last month came when Jesse Randall got in behind the Nix defence.
“Their intention is to get the ball behind because they feel like that is the easy route, and so do most opponents that we play.
“For us it’s just about how focused we can be on their danger players and if we can alleviate and nullify their runs I think we’ll go a long way to dominating the game.”
Giancarlo Italiano is also able to call on Manjrekar James for tomorrow’s match after the Canadian centre back missed the first derby of the season.
“Manjrekar is a senior player and you’ve seen the difference when he plays.
“He gives us a bit more level-headedness and maturity on the pitch and it also helps him being on the outside [of the back three] helping Shez (Matt Sheridan).”
The round seven 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 LIVE and free-to-air on Sky Open and LIVE on Sky Sport 2 in New Zealand, and on Paramount+ in Australia.
Most recent meeting: 8 November 2025 – Wellington Phoenix 1 Auckland FC 2
All-time A-League head-to-head: Phoenix 0W, Auckland 4W & 0D.
Wellington Phoenix squad (two to be omitted): 1. Josh OLUWAYEMI (gk), 3. Corban PIPER, 4. Manjrekar JAMES, 5. Fin ROA CONCHIE, 7. Ifeanyi EZE, 11. Carlo ARMIENTO, 12. Dan EDWARDS, 14. Alex RUFER (c), 15. Isaac HUGHES, 17. Gabriel SLOANE-RODRIGUES, 18. Lukas KELLY-HEALD, 20. Ramy NAJJARINE, 24. Xuan LOKE, 25. Kazuki NAGASAWA, 27. Matt SHERIDAN, 29. Luke BROOKE-SMITH, 30. Alby KELLY-HEALD (gk), 37. Anaru CASSIDY, 39. Jayden SMITH, 40. Eamonn MCCARRON (gk).
Unavailable: 6. Tim PAYNE (injured), 8. Paulo RETRE (injured), 9. Hideki ISHIGE (injured), 10. Nikola MILEUSNIC (injured), 19. Nathan WALKER (injured),23. Luke SUPYK (injured).
Auckland FC squad (two to be omitted): 1. Michael WOUD (gk), 3. Jake GIRDWOOD-REICH, 4. Nando PIJNAKER, 6. Louis VERSTRAETE, 7. Cameron HOWIESON, 8. Felipe GALLEGOS, 9. Sam COSGROVE, 10. Guillermo MAY, 11. Marlee FRANÇOIS, 14. Liam GILLION, 15. Francis DE VRIES, 17. Callan ELLIOT, 19. Oliver MIDDLETON, 20. Oli SAIL (gk), 21. Jesse RANDALL, 22. Jake BRIMMER (c), 23. Dan HALL, 27. Logan ROGERSON, 35. Jonty BIDOIS, 77. Lachlan BROOK.
Unavailable: 2. Hiroki SAKAI (injured).
Main image: Wellington Phoenix players warm up for training at NZCIS. Photo: Cam McIntosh/Photomac.
