Wellington Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano has drawn a line through his side's A-League Men finals chances after their 4-1 loss to Western United, saying they're playing to restore some level of pride in their remaining seven games.
Falling behind after just 128 seconds when Rhys Bozinovski redirected an Angus Thurgate corner off his shoulder, the Phoenix were down 4-0 by the time they registered their first shot on target in Saturday evening's contest.
Nathan Walker did convert that attempt to provide an 82nd minute consolation but it was too little, too late, after a goal from Hiroshi Ibusuki and a double from Matthew Grimaldi put the hosts out of sight.
The defeat at Ironbark Fields was the Phoenix's fourth on the bounce and left them 12 points off the top six with seven games remaining, leading a forthright Italiano to admit their faint playoff hopes had been extinguished.
"No, no, finals are done," he said.
"We're not going to make the finals, even if we win all seven games.
"Now what we're playing for, ultimately, is going to come down to pride for the club.
"I'm not fazed by losing games, that's normal; just the way we're losing games at the moment. Today felt like (an) unacceptable performance for the first 60 (minutes).
"Now we're playing for the pride of the club … and I expect the boys to lift and to give something for the fans to be optimistic about."
Out of contract at the campaign's end, Italiano has previously said he expects to return to the Phoenix next season.
But as losses pile up and memories of last year's second-place finish fade, pressure is mounting.
"What will be, will be," Italiano said when asked if he felt secure. "I can't control that.
"If they decide that they want someone else in charge, good luck to that person.
"I feel like I still have plenty to give. I'm just at the start of my journey."
While the Phoenix's season is going up in flames, United are shaping as championship contenders.
Outscoring their opponents 10 goals to two across a three-game winning run, John Aloisi's side went to 35 points with Saturday's win, one clear of third-placed Melbourne City and just five behind league leaders Auckland.
"If you make finals, I think any side will believe they can win (the championship)," said Aloisi, who led United to a title in 2021-22.
