The Wellington Phoenix’s recent struggles continued as they faced Melbourne City, suffering a disappointing 1-0 defeat on February 28, 2025. Despite the loss, head coach Giancarlo Italiano remains hopeful about the potential for his team to turn the season around.
The match, held at Sky Stadium in Wellington, marked the Phoenix's third consecutive defeat, leaving them nine points behind the playoff spots. Socceroos winger Marco Tilio netted the only goal of the match early in the second half, capitalizing on poor defensive coordination from the Phoenix.
Post-match, Italiano expressed his frustration, explaining, “We gave them the goal. It’s a soft goal to give. We set up their transition. It was a poor passage of play between two players, and I think it’s going to be very hard to win games if you keep giving goals away.” This sentiment underscored the coach’s concern for his team’s defensive lapses and the impact on their chances for success.
The atmosphere at the stadium was electric, buoyed by loyal fans of the Phoenix, known as the Yellow Fever. Italiano praised their enthusiasm, saying, “I thought it was great; I could hear them sing all the time. I’ve said it for a long time, our fans are the best. Even the ones who put up the nice sign for me today.” He reiterated the importance of this support, especially during challenging times, noting, “This club is built on hard times.”
During the match, the Phoenix had their chances but failed to convert, with the best opportunity coming when Matt Sheridan’s effort was blocked just before halftime. Italiano acknowledged the need for improvement, calling for greater urgency and focus from his squad moving forward. “There’s belief in the group. One positive result will change the season,” he said, expressing optimism about reclaiming their form.
Looking onward, the Phoenix know they will need to win seven out of their nine remaining matches to have any chance of sneaking back to the playoffs. “Yes 100%. We’re on 19 points. We need seven wins. There are nine games left so we can win seven. We could win all our games,” Italiano confidently stated, outlining his blueprint for revival.
Historically, the statistics have not been favorable for the Phoenix against Melbourne City. Their recent meeting earlier this season concluded with City defeating the Nix 2-0. With this latest loss, their all-time A-League record against City stands at 12 wins for Phoenix, 20 for City, and 8 draws.
Despite the current predicament, the squad seems determined to rally, with Italiano encouraging them to focus on the positives rather than dwell on past mistakes. “If I felt as though there was a lack of will or trying on the players’ part, I would have been absolutely on top of them, but the players know,” he remarked, aiming to steer the team back on the right path.
The next match will see the Wellington Phoenix face off against Western United, where they will aim to shed their negative streak and spark momentum for their playoff chase. The game will be broadcast across multiple platforms, ensuring fans stay engaged with any potential turnaround.
It is evident the road to redemption is pivotal not just for the players and coaching staff but for all associated with the Wellington Phoenix. Given the right mindset and support, they could redefine their season’s narrative, riding on the belief held by fans and the unrelenting spirit of the squad. “It’s about steadying the ship, refocusing on all of the good things throughout the season and making sure the focus is on City and nothing else,” Italiano concluded, emphasizing collective focus as they look to reshape their future.