Phoenix look to end dismal men’s A-League record at Melbourne’s AAMI Park
Head coach Giancarlo Italiano is confident his Wellington Phoenix side can break their 23-match winless run at Melbourne’s AAMI Park.
Despite having eight players sidelined through injury, Italiano says his side are ready to end 2025 on a positive note when they meet Melbourne Victory in Monday’s men’s A-League match.
“I have more belief in this team than I have in my seven years here. As a collective, I think the team is very good.
“You can argue that the team is a little bit of a misfit team, in terms of where players have come from, their trajectory and where they’ve played before.
“There’s a lot of boys here who have a lot to prove. For everything that’s been said about our team over the year, I think we’ve been in every game.”
The Wellington Phoenix players had a Christmas break before heading across the Tasman.
“It was good for the boys to get away, enjoy Christmas,” Italiano said.
“Training’s been really good this week and we’ve got two hard games now, against Victory and Brisbane.
“The refresh has come at the right time.”
Challenges don’t come much bigger than a trip to Melbourne, particularly for a Phoenix side who have a dismal record at AAMI Park. Since mid-2017, the Phoenix have been unable to take three points when playing at the stadium.
“I think Victory is a very well-rounded squad, they have some good depth, especially up front.
“Mata’s been very effective. He’s got a little more freedom in the ten. Players like Velupillay, very dangerous.
“Good players, good solid squad, they’ll be very tough to beat.”
A congested league table means a win could bump the Phoenix into the top half of the table.
“To throw a blanket and a generalisation that certain teams are easier than others, it’s not reflective of where the league is.
“It’s so close at the moment, from top to bottom.
“We lose one game, we go back to the bottom of the table. We win one game, back in contention for the six.
“Going to games, thinking you’re going to win easily, I think those days are gone.”
Past meetings
Most recent meeting: 12 April 2025 – Wellington Phoenix 2 Melbourne Victory 3
All-time A-League head-to-head: Phoenix 13W, Victory 27W & 14D.
How to watch
The game will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sport 2 in New Zealand, and on Paramount+ in Australia.
Acknowledgement
We thank the Wellington Phoenix for providing information for this story.
Fixture
Game to be played on Monday December 29, 2025
Melbourne Victory v Wellington Phoenix
AAMI Park, Melbourne, 9pm (NZT)
| Club | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland FC | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 20 |
| Sydney | 9 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 15 | 7 | 8 | 18 |
| Brisbane Roar | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 15 |
| Adelaide United | 10 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 16 | 13 | 3 | 15 |
| Macarthur | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 13 | -1 | 15 |
| Melbourne City | 10 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 13 |
| Perth Glory | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 13 | -3 | 13 |
| Newcastle Jets | 10 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 20 | 22 | -2 | 12 |
| Wellington Phoenix | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 13 | 15 | -2 | 11 |
| Melbourne Victory | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 12 | -5 | 11 |
| Western Sydney Wanderers | 10 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 13 | -5 | 9 |
| Central Coast Mariners | 9 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 10 | 15 | -5 | 8 |
Table at 6am (NZT) on Monday December 29, 2025.
Squads
Melbourne Victory (two to be omitted)
2. Jason Davidson, 3. Adama Traore, 4. Lachlan Jackson, 8. Jordi Valadon, 9. Nikolaos Vergos, 10. Denis Genreau, 11. Clerismario Santos Rodrigues, 14. Matthew Grimaldi, 15. Sebastian Esposito, 16. Joshua Inserra, 17. Nishan Velupillay, 19. Jing Reec, 21. Roderick Miranda, 22. Joshua Rawlins, 23. Keegan Jelacic, 25. Jack Duncan, 27. Louis D’arrigo, 29. Oliver Dragicevic, 40. Jack Warshawsky, 64. Juan Mata.
Unavailable: 5. Brendan Hamill (injured), 7. Reno Piscopo (injured), 18. Franco Lino (injured).
Wellington Phoenix (two to be omitted)
3. Corban Piper, 4. Manjrekar James, 5. Fin Roa Conchie, 7. Ifeanyi Eze, 8. Paulo Retre, 11. Carlo Armiento, 14. Alex Rufer (captain), 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), 31. Ryan Lee, 37. Anaru Cassidy, 39. Jayden Smith, 40. Eamonn McCarron (Gk).
Unavailable: 1. Josh Oluwayemi (Gk) (injured), 6. Tim Payne (injured), 9. Hideki Ishige (injured), 10. Nikola Mileusnic (injured), 12. Dan Edwards (injured), 19. Nathan Walker (injured), 23. Luke Supyk (injured), 39. Jayden Smith (injured).
Officials
Referee: Shaun Evans.
Assistant referees: Daniel Illievski, Maddy Allum.
Fourth official: Nathan Shakespear.
VAR: Tim Danaskos.
Assistant VAR: Hugh Fenton-White
This story was first published on December 29, 2025.
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