Wellington Phoenix head coach Giancarlo “Chiefy” Italiano acknowledged the club’s AAMI Park “hoodoo” but he is embracing the challenge in the quest for an Isuzu UTE A-League Championship.
The Phoenix will face Melbourne Victory in a two-legged Semi-Final, starting with Sunday’s showdown at AAMI Park.
It has been a record-breaking 2023-24 for Wellington, who ended the regular season just three points adrift of Premiers and defending Champions Central Coast Mariners in second position.
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But the Phoenix must end a long-standing drought to become a “champion team”, according to Italiano.
The Phoenix have not beaten Victory at AAMI Park since April 2017, while they are winless at the venue in 20 previous attempts heading into the weekend.
“Going to AAMI Park is going to be a real test because we never win there,” Italiano told AAP.
“Haven’t won there in such a long time that it’s almost like a mindset thing, it’s almost like a hoodoo, right?
“But you have to break those hoodoos in order to be a Champion team.
“That’s one thing I always tell our players – you need to look forward to the challenges.”
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In a press conference on Monday, Italiano also told reporters: “Eventually, the odds will tip in our favour. I’m hoping it’s Sunday.
“But it’s a very hard place to go. In the back of my mind, in terms of experience, they’re the one club I wanted to play in a Semi-Final at AAMI Park.
“Their fans make for an electric atmosphere and if we have a good travelling contingent too, it will be a great feel and experience for the boys.”
The Finals Series could potentially dish up a Grand Final between Phoenix against Sydney FC.
That would mean a reunion for Italiano and Sydney FC boss Ufuk Talay, who stepped down as Wellington head coach last season before endorsing his former right-hand man to make the step up.
The pair remain close friends and Italiano told AAP: “There’s a part of me that, if we believe in fairytales, would love to play Sydney FC in a Grand Final.
“That would be great. It would be in Wellington and it’d be crowning.
“I’d love to win, but there’s a part of me that wouldn’t be upset either if he won – he deserves it as well.”
