If Wellington cannot win their table-topping A-League Males conflict with Central Coast, they certain as hell cannot lose it.
That is the message from Giancarlo Italiano as his high-flying Phoenix head to Gosford for the match of the season on Saturday night time.
The primary-placed Nix have a three-point buffer over the next-best Mariners with 4 matches left.
Given Wellington are as shut as they’ve ever been to a trophy of their 17-year historical past, there should certainly be a temptation to go for broke and double their result in six factors with three video games left.
Not so for the safety-first Australian, who’s in his first season as an A-League coach however main the pack with a realistic model of soccer.
“The mentality for each away recreation is that we consolidate a outcome and we’re a bit of bit extra cautious away from house,” Italiano mentioned.
“We respect the truth that we now have to journey and we additionally respect the house workforce, particularly somebody just like the Mariners, who’ve an excellent fan base and an excellent following.”
Central Coast had been nicely crushed final weekend by Sydney FC however recovered their mojo with a midweek 2-1 win over Melbourne Metropolis, furthering hopes of backing up final yr’s title with the Premiers Plate.
Wellington have wins over Sydney and Brisbane of their previous two outings, however laboured to a 0-0 draw of their final conflict with Central Coast, at Sky Stadium in February.
It is high-stakes stuff, however Italiano isn’t increase the conflict, as a substitute reminding his gamers to make use of the road smarts which have led to the Phoenix’s greatest factors haul in membership historical past.
“I do not give a context the place we’re moving into and it is one versus two and our season is on the road,” he mentioned.
“There are some days that we play completely crap with the ball, however I say to them, ‘at the least defend nicely after which that can resolve half the issues’ and so they do it.
“When it really works nicely with the ball, generally defensively we is perhaps a bit of bit off, so we take note of all these and we attempt to persist with our values, persist with our taking part in mannequin, and that is what works.”
Key striker Oskar Zawada (leg) stays out, whereas membership captain Alex Rufer may also miss the event after a crimson card in final week’s 1-0 win over Brisbane.
Italiano mentioned when the match evaluation panel provided a one-week ban, relatively than the anticipated two, the membership determined in opposition to interesting.
Coronary heart-and-soul utility Tim Payne is travelling after overcoming a hamstring difficulty forward of time, and can come off the bench.
“It is a bit of bit faster than anticipated, which has been improbable information for us and for the workforce, and necessary given the truth that we’re a bit quick due to Ruf’s suspension,” Italiano mentioned.
The coach mentioned Ben Outdated was a probable starter, backing Nicholas Pennington and Mohamed Al-Taay, or maybe even mid-season signing Youstin Salas, to fill the Rufer-sized gap of their midfield.
For Central Coast, red-hot Josh Nisbet will play his one hundredth match after two targets and two assists in his previous 4 video games.