Wellington Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano is backing his side to handle the occasion of tonight's first A-League Kiwi derby of the season against Auckland FC in the capital - 08-Nov-2025 - NZ Soccer news

Wellington Phoenix Coach Prepares Team for First A-League Kiwi Derby

Wellington Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano expresses confidence in his team’s ability to manage the pressures of tonight’s inaugural A-League Kiwi derby of the season against Auckland FC, taking place in the capital.

Previous Derby Outcomes

Last season, Wellington Phoenix faced challenges in these fixtures, having lost all three derby matches against the Black Knights.

Coach's Strategy

Italiano is urging his side to be brave and to stick to their gameplan.

Match Significance

This encounter marks an important occasion as it is the first Kiwi derby of the current A-League season.

Teams Involved

Author's summary: Giancarlo Italiano remains optimistic as he prepares Wellington Phoenix to face Auckland FC, focusing on bravery and adherence to strategy despite past derby defeats.

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NZCity Personal Start Page NZCity Personal Start Page — 2025-11-08