1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,427 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:13,107 Speaker 1: from Newstalk zb Wellington. 3 00:00:13,107 --> 00:00:17,187 Speaker 2: Phoenix boss gian Carlo Italiana was popped into the studio 4 00:00:17,187 --> 00:00:18,627 Speaker 2: ahead of this one. Nice to see you, mate, Thanks 5 00:00:18,667 --> 00:00:21,427 Speaker 2: for taking the time. You come into today off the 6 00:00:21,467 --> 00:00:24,027 Speaker 2: back of I reckon your best performance of the season 7 00:00:24,067 --> 00:00:27,107 Speaker 2: beating Adelaide two one a week ago at sky Stadium. 8 00:00:27,147 --> 00:00:30,107 Speaker 2: How much confidence, how much belief, how much momentum does 9 00:00:30,147 --> 00:00:31,827 Speaker 2: that give you hitting into today? 10 00:00:33,027 --> 00:00:36,067 Speaker 3: I think it was important. I think I said this 11 00:00:36,187 --> 00:00:41,787 Speaker 3: yesterday my interview post training interview, that I didn't want 12 00:00:41,787 --> 00:00:44,347 Speaker 3: to go into this game, you know, with three on 13 00:00:44,387 --> 00:00:46,427 Speaker 3: the trot, losing through on the trot. I don't think 14 00:00:46,427 --> 00:00:50,747 Speaker 3: the team deserves it first and foremost because I think 15 00:00:50,747 --> 00:00:54,347 Speaker 3: that the form has been pretty good, probably maybe one 16 00:00:54,387 --> 00:00:56,987 Speaker 3: half of football against MacArthur where we went out at 17 00:00:56,987 --> 00:01:01,107 Speaker 3: our best. But yeah, I felt as though last week 18 00:01:01,227 --> 00:01:04,067 Speaker 3: was a good step in the right direction. But again 19 00:01:04,147 --> 00:01:04,947 Speaker 3: doesn't mean anything. 20 00:01:05,467 --> 00:01:07,347 Speaker 2: I just said then, the best performance of the season. 21 00:01:07,347 --> 00:01:08,947 Speaker 2: That's through my eyes. What about yours? Do you think 22 00:01:08,947 --> 00:01:11,627 Speaker 2: it was your best performance of the season so far? 23 00:01:13,467 --> 00:01:14,907 Speaker 3: Are we including friendly matches? 24 00:01:15,267 --> 00:01:16,307 Speaker 2: I think just a league matches. 25 00:01:16,347 --> 00:01:18,027 Speaker 3: Yeah, just a league matches. Yeah, I think it was 26 00:01:18,067 --> 00:01:21,227 Speaker 3: the first time that we've put more than seventy minutes 27 00:01:21,427 --> 00:01:24,147 Speaker 3: of the style together and the way we want to play, 28 00:01:24,467 --> 00:01:28,627 Speaker 3: And that's also from talking from a defensive perspective. One 29 00:01:28,627 --> 00:01:31,547 Speaker 3: thing we didn't cater for last week and we did 30 00:01:31,707 --> 00:01:33,547 Speaker 3: a little bit on the run, was we went more 31 00:01:33,587 --> 00:01:35,787 Speaker 3: to a mid block when the subs came on, because 32 00:01:35,787 --> 00:01:38,827 Speaker 3: we felt the press kind of not dropped off, but 33 00:01:39,227 --> 00:01:42,467 Speaker 3: just the quality of the press wasn't what we had 34 00:01:42,507 --> 00:01:45,547 Speaker 3: for the first seventy But then the boys adapted actually 35 00:01:45,627 --> 00:01:47,147 Speaker 3: very very well, So I was very happy with that 36 00:01:47,227 --> 00:01:51,227 Speaker 3: response from the group. I made maybe one or too 37 00:01:51,227 --> 00:01:55,907 Speaker 3: many changes that influenced the shape, but yeah, last week 38 00:01:56,027 --> 00:01:57,827 Speaker 3: was probably the best overall. 39 00:01:58,107 --> 00:01:59,907 Speaker 2: You pick up on a really interesting point. They're about 40 00:01:59,947 --> 00:02:02,147 Speaker 2: the changes that you make during a game, and I 41 00:02:02,187 --> 00:02:04,467 Speaker 2: know you you know you have to adapt to the 42 00:02:04,467 --> 00:02:09,347 Speaker 2: match situation. But how challenging a part of football management 43 00:02:09,427 --> 00:02:13,027 Speaker 2: is that knowing who to inject, when to inject, and 44 00:02:13,067 --> 00:02:14,147 Speaker 2: also who to take off. 45 00:02:14,667 --> 00:02:16,987 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think this is probably the most crucial part 46 00:02:17,027 --> 00:02:20,947 Speaker 3: of game day coaching. I think outside of that, obviously, 47 00:02:20,987 --> 00:02:23,227 Speaker 3: what you do during the week is probably the most 48 00:02:23,267 --> 00:02:27,707 Speaker 3: important thing that influences the game overall, but in game management, 49 00:02:28,267 --> 00:02:30,987 Speaker 3: the subs and how you change tactics and the game 50 00:02:31,067 --> 00:02:33,787 Speaker 3: is probably the second most important thing. I think that 51 00:02:34,627 --> 00:02:37,027 Speaker 3: if you look at my first year in charge, when 52 00:02:37,027 --> 00:02:39,787 Speaker 3: I took over, because I knew the playing group and 53 00:02:39,827 --> 00:02:43,947 Speaker 3: I knew the capabilities and restrictions of all players, it 54 00:02:43,987 --> 00:02:47,307 Speaker 3: was easier to manipulate in game changes and changing things 55 00:02:47,347 --> 00:02:50,107 Speaker 3: on the run. Last year we found it more difficult 56 00:02:50,147 --> 00:02:52,987 Speaker 3: because we had a little bit more of an inexperienced group, 57 00:02:53,027 --> 00:02:55,347 Speaker 3: even with the senior players that come in the visas 58 00:02:55,387 --> 00:02:59,827 Speaker 3: and so on, didn't understand maybe the nuances that were required. 59 00:03:00,427 --> 00:03:03,267 Speaker 3: And that's also partly, well a large part of my fault, 60 00:03:03,347 --> 00:03:07,347 Speaker 3: because you know, my expectation was probably higher than what 61 00:03:07,427 --> 00:03:12,147 Speaker 3: I anticipated the players could deliver. But this year we 62 00:03:12,187 --> 00:03:16,227 Speaker 3: went back to a more structured approach of having one 63 00:03:16,307 --> 00:03:21,227 Speaker 3: solid formation base and more around the intent and the style, 64 00:03:21,707 --> 00:03:23,987 Speaker 3: and then we work off that. So now when I 65 00:03:24,067 --> 00:03:27,867 Speaker 3: make a sub, I feel as though in game changes 66 00:03:27,987 --> 00:03:34,067 Speaker 3: aren't as detrimental to the game flow and momentum. So 67 00:03:34,187 --> 00:03:37,587 Speaker 3: now I'm finding that even you know, the Brisbane game 68 00:03:37,627 --> 00:03:42,027 Speaker 3: was probably the best example. Both Luke brook Smith and 69 00:03:42,267 --> 00:03:45,307 Speaker 3: Corbs came on, had a distinct role but within the system, 70 00:03:45,347 --> 00:03:47,867 Speaker 3: and they came on and fight it to execution and 71 00:03:47,907 --> 00:03:50,747 Speaker 3: we ended up winning. So, you know, but it also 72 00:03:50,787 --> 00:03:52,867 Speaker 3: goes the other way as well. I've made subs where 73 00:03:53,187 --> 00:03:56,027 Speaker 3: sometimes it ruins the flow of the game and it 74 00:03:56,067 --> 00:04:00,347 Speaker 3: goes against you. But again, once the players build more 75 00:04:00,347 --> 00:04:04,427 Speaker 3: belief in the system and understanding, then those things become easier. 76 00:04:04,987 --> 00:04:08,747 Speaker 2: Let's talk about today, how much from Derby won the 77 00:04:08,827 --> 00:04:11,547 Speaker 2: season against Auckland a month ago is useful today. 78 00:04:12,427 --> 00:04:16,107 Speaker 3: Oh, I think it's. It gave us a lot of 79 00:04:16,147 --> 00:04:21,787 Speaker 3: insight into how they think, how how we prepare, how 80 00:04:21,827 --> 00:04:25,467 Speaker 3: we prepare and in game management for all scenarios, you know. 81 00:04:25,587 --> 00:04:27,507 Speaker 3: So it knocked a lot of things on the head 82 00:04:27,547 --> 00:04:31,627 Speaker 3: that I think were were very important, you know, over 83 00:04:31,667 --> 00:04:36,347 Speaker 3: these three at this three game series. I actually thought 84 00:04:36,707 --> 00:04:39,147 Speaker 3: that in the first half, I thought Auckland would be 85 00:04:39,147 --> 00:04:41,627 Speaker 3: a little bit more brave through the with the ball 86 00:04:41,667 --> 00:04:44,587 Speaker 3: through the middle, and I felt as though they felt 87 00:04:44,587 --> 00:04:47,787 Speaker 3: that the easy out was the ball over, you know, 88 00:04:47,907 --> 00:04:50,147 Speaker 3: trying to catch the line off. They got, you know, 89 00:04:50,227 --> 00:04:52,867 Speaker 3: they got very they got very lucky with two attempts 90 00:04:52,867 --> 00:04:54,507 Speaker 3: which are probably against the run of play. One was 91 00:04:54,507 --> 00:04:56,947 Speaker 3: obviously if kickoff which was poured from up from us, 92 00:04:56,987 --> 00:05:00,747 Speaker 3: but I found that quite surprising. And then once the 93 00:05:00,787 --> 00:05:03,027 Speaker 3: red card came in, obviously that played to their strengths 94 00:05:03,027 --> 00:05:05,307 Speaker 3: of defending and made it very difficult for us. But 95 00:05:05,667 --> 00:05:08,147 Speaker 3: in saying that, now we know what to do if 96 00:05:08,147 --> 00:05:10,667 Speaker 3: we're placing that scenario, and also the other way as well, 97 00:05:10,707 --> 00:05:12,547 Speaker 3: you know, like what happens when we go to ten man, 98 00:05:12,947 --> 00:05:14,667 Speaker 3: how we deal with the emotion of leading, how we 99 00:05:14,787 --> 00:05:17,507 Speaker 3: deal with the emotion of conceding as well. So in 100 00:05:17,587 --> 00:05:21,067 Speaker 3: terms of maturity, it went a long way on progressing 101 00:05:21,067 --> 00:05:21,427 Speaker 3: the group. 102 00:05:22,227 --> 00:05:26,467 Speaker 2: Do you use the magnitude of the occasion in any 103 00:05:26,507 --> 00:05:28,907 Speaker 2: way in terms of your preparation? You know the fans 104 00:05:28,947 --> 00:05:32,147 Speaker 2: love it, we in the media love it. Do you 105 00:05:32,387 --> 00:05:34,787 Speaker 2: do you use how big an occasion it is as 106 00:05:34,827 --> 00:05:35,867 Speaker 2: part of your prep. 107 00:05:36,147 --> 00:05:40,547 Speaker 3: I did that last year and a backfire. Look, I 108 00:05:40,587 --> 00:05:42,827 Speaker 3: think it really comes down to the group. I think 109 00:05:42,947 --> 00:05:46,667 Speaker 3: Derbies within themselves are separate to the league in the 110 00:05:46,707 --> 00:05:49,827 Speaker 3: sense that the Derbies are everything to die for. You 111 00:05:49,827 --> 00:05:51,547 Speaker 3: know you're playing for prior, you're playing for the you 112 00:05:51,587 --> 00:05:54,987 Speaker 3: know who owns who owns football? Within that, you know 113 00:05:55,067 --> 00:06:00,747 Speaker 3: that Derby sphere. I think that one of the our 114 00:06:00,787 --> 00:06:04,227 Speaker 3: biggest eras last season going into the Derby's where we 115 00:06:04,267 --> 00:06:06,907 Speaker 3: already had a presumption that going into the Darbies. And 116 00:06:06,947 --> 00:06:08,587 Speaker 3: this is not me, this is more than I would 117 00:06:08,627 --> 00:06:12,467 Speaker 3: say some players that you know that we were the 118 00:06:12,547 --> 00:06:15,627 Speaker 3: number one team and that it made it a lot 119 00:06:15,667 --> 00:06:17,347 Speaker 3: easier for Auckland to go, all right, well we're going 120 00:06:17,387 --> 00:06:18,827 Speaker 3: to try to knock them off the perch. They had 121 00:06:18,827 --> 00:06:21,387 Speaker 3: the incentive to knock us off the perch. And then 122 00:06:21,627 --> 00:06:25,107 Speaker 3: the way we lost that first game was was something 123 00:06:25,147 --> 00:06:26,867 Speaker 3: that I don't think any of the group can you 124 00:06:27,107 --> 00:06:30,267 Speaker 3: conceived as being possible. And then that kind of you know, 125 00:06:30,427 --> 00:06:33,587 Speaker 3: rattled us. But I think as time progresses, you know, 126 00:06:34,627 --> 00:06:37,027 Speaker 3: the players that are that are here and the new players, 127 00:06:38,307 --> 00:06:40,147 Speaker 3: you know, they go into that game, or they'll go 128 00:06:40,147 --> 00:06:42,987 Speaker 3: into today's games as a grand final, it's more of 129 00:06:42,987 --> 00:06:45,947 Speaker 3: a semi final. You know, there'll be you know a 130 00:06:45,987 --> 00:06:48,987 Speaker 3: lot of a lot of good you know, fifty to 131 00:06:49,027 --> 00:06:51,907 Speaker 3: fifty challengers, and there'll be an intensity to the game 132 00:06:51,907 --> 00:06:54,467 Speaker 3: that you don't usually get in the league match. So 133 00:06:54,627 --> 00:06:56,747 Speaker 3: I don't really need to play into that. I just 134 00:06:56,787 --> 00:06:58,707 Speaker 3: need to guide them in the right direction. If I 135 00:06:58,747 --> 00:07:00,947 Speaker 3: get to animated, I know what will happen. I think, 136 00:07:01,187 --> 00:07:02,947 Speaker 3: you know, we'll have two or three red cards after 137 00:07:02,987 --> 00:07:05,547 Speaker 3: twenty minutes, because you know, sometimes when I get a 138 00:07:05,587 --> 00:07:07,507 Speaker 3: little bit intense as well, you know, it rubs off 139 00:07:07,507 --> 00:07:09,827 Speaker 3: on the players, so I have to try and measure it. 140 00:07:10,707 --> 00:07:12,827 Speaker 3: But I think the players are fully cognizant of the 141 00:07:12,867 --> 00:07:15,587 Speaker 3: fact that Okay, this is a big game. They're up 142 00:07:15,627 --> 00:07:17,787 Speaker 3: for it, you know, and I just have to make 143 00:07:17,827 --> 00:07:19,147 Speaker 3: sure I manage them well. 144 00:07:19,667 --> 00:07:21,747 Speaker 2: And some OF's the last year, two derbies in the 145 00:07:21,787 --> 00:07:25,587 Speaker 2: first what seven weeks of the season or thereabouts, will 146 00:07:25,627 --> 00:07:27,507 Speaker 2: any part of you be quite pleased to get today 147 00:07:27,507 --> 00:07:29,707 Speaker 2: out of the way, leave the higher emotion of these 148 00:07:29,747 --> 00:07:33,307 Speaker 2: games behind, and I guess focus forward on. I don't 149 00:07:33,307 --> 00:07:35,827 Speaker 2: want to call them normal football matches, but other football matches. 150 00:07:36,027 --> 00:07:37,907 Speaker 2: Any part of your you know, just begin to get 151 00:07:37,947 --> 00:07:39,547 Speaker 2: the emotion of today, data move on. 152 00:07:40,267 --> 00:07:43,187 Speaker 3: I thought about this. I actually thought about this probably 153 00:07:43,187 --> 00:07:47,507 Speaker 3: about a week ago. And I think the one thing 154 00:07:47,587 --> 00:07:51,507 Speaker 3: that just it not irritates me, but it just sits 155 00:07:51,547 --> 00:07:54,707 Speaker 3: in the It doesn't sit well with me is that 156 00:07:55,067 --> 00:07:58,067 Speaker 3: we've had two derbies now and by round seven, no 157 00:07:58,067 --> 00:08:00,627 Speaker 3: normal league in the world has two derbies after you know, 158 00:08:00,987 --> 00:08:03,907 Speaker 3: eight rounds and a lot can be said about the 159 00:08:03,947 --> 00:08:07,147 Speaker 3: team season's performance, you know, after two doubles, you know, 160 00:08:07,547 --> 00:08:09,787 Speaker 3: I think these things need to be built into you know, 161 00:08:09,827 --> 00:08:12,427 Speaker 3: like an early dubis great, you know, but if you're 162 00:08:12,427 --> 00:08:15,347 Speaker 3: playing three weeks after, you know, not not a lot 163 00:08:15,347 --> 00:08:18,947 Speaker 3: of waters under that bridge. So I think that that's 164 00:08:19,027 --> 00:08:21,227 Speaker 3: the irritating part. I mean, look, if we win today, 165 00:08:21,627 --> 00:08:26,467 Speaker 3: you know, there won't be another consideration. But I think that, yeah, 166 00:08:26,827 --> 00:08:29,187 Speaker 3: we kind of lose sight of what the actual end 167 00:08:29,227 --> 00:08:31,547 Speaker 3: goal is. But if you ask me what I want, 168 00:08:31,587 --> 00:08:33,227 Speaker 3: I want to win today, and I win to win 169 00:08:33,307 --> 00:08:35,667 Speaker 3: every deb I don't want to let Auckland win any games. 170 00:08:36,547 --> 00:08:39,427 Speaker 3: You know that goes without saying. But yeah, once we 171 00:08:39,427 --> 00:08:41,307 Speaker 3: get this game out of the way again, you know, 172 00:08:41,307 --> 00:08:45,587 Speaker 3: we've got two games at home, and you know, I 173 00:08:45,587 --> 00:08:48,107 Speaker 3: think today winning today would also put a den in 174 00:08:48,107 --> 00:08:51,907 Speaker 3: Auckland's progression for the season. The table's ridiculously close at 175 00:08:51,907 --> 00:08:55,027 Speaker 3: the moment. Any sort of momentum, you win two three games, 176 00:08:55,067 --> 00:08:56,747 Speaker 3: you know, you go from last to like third or 177 00:08:56,747 --> 00:08:59,427 Speaker 3: fourth or whatever it is. You know, so we need 178 00:08:59,467 --> 00:09:01,787 Speaker 3: to make sure we capitalize on those those moments. 179 00:09:01,827 --> 00:09:03,147 Speaker 2: All right, Just before you go, I, oh, you've got 180 00:09:03,147 --> 00:09:05,027 Speaker 2: a busy day World Cup to all this morning. I 181 00:09:05,027 --> 00:09:06,347 Speaker 2: got a bunch of players in your team, I'm sure 182 00:09:06,467 --> 00:09:09,547 Speaker 2: who have got their eyes on a place in the 183 00:09:09,547 --> 00:09:13,987 Speaker 2: World Cup squad next year Belgium. I run Egypt. Ady 184 00:09:13,987 --> 00:09:16,747 Speaker 2: of assays that as a draw for the all Whites. 185 00:09:18,227 --> 00:09:20,987 Speaker 3: Speaking honestly, I think it would be disappointing now if 186 00:09:21,027 --> 00:09:23,707 Speaker 3: they don't get out of the group because I think 187 00:09:23,747 --> 00:09:27,987 Speaker 3: that with eight teams from third place progressing through to 188 00:09:28,027 --> 00:09:30,947 Speaker 3: the round of I think it's thirty two now. I 189 00:09:30,987 --> 00:09:34,227 Speaker 3: think that finishing third minimum third in that group is 190 00:09:34,347 --> 00:09:38,027 Speaker 3: very realistic. I don't think two points will be enough. 191 00:09:38,067 --> 00:09:40,227 Speaker 3: I think they definitely need to win one game. I 192 00:09:40,267 --> 00:09:42,667 Speaker 3: think the team is very very capable of picking up 193 00:09:42,667 --> 00:09:47,667 Speaker 3: six points a film more honest opinion. Knowing the Kiwi 194 00:09:47,747 --> 00:09:50,467 Speaker 3: Boys have come through my squad and been associated with 195 00:09:51,027 --> 00:09:53,267 Speaker 3: New Zealand football now for seven years, I think that 196 00:09:54,067 --> 00:09:57,627 Speaker 3: what gets underplayed is actual quality of our players and 197 00:09:57,707 --> 00:10:00,267 Speaker 3: the players are play abroad and it's just finding the 198 00:10:00,867 --> 00:10:06,507 Speaker 3: mixture of combination of players and also working to what 199 00:10:06,667 --> 00:10:09,307 Speaker 3: is strong within the squad. You know, obviously Chris Wood 200 00:10:09,347 --> 00:10:11,467 Speaker 3: is a big focal point, but even if you get 201 00:10:11,507 --> 00:10:14,307 Speaker 3: players like off the bench like costs that they give 202 00:10:14,347 --> 00:10:17,507 Speaker 3: you a different dynamics sing. I'm a big fan of 203 00:10:17,787 --> 00:10:19,987 Speaker 3: Jesse Randall. I think, you know, if you put him 204 00:10:20,027 --> 00:10:23,827 Speaker 3: an oldie together, seeing you've got a very creative midfield. 205 00:10:24,467 --> 00:10:26,947 Speaker 3: I'm a big fan of obviously Staminach and I think 206 00:10:27,027 --> 00:10:30,707 Speaker 3: Rufer as well. I think I think the pairings there 207 00:10:30,987 --> 00:10:32,827 Speaker 3: and the boys have been playing there for a long time, 208 00:10:32,867 --> 00:10:36,187 Speaker 3: so I think that it's a really big opportunity for 209 00:10:36,267 --> 00:10:39,707 Speaker 3: them to you know, grind through the tournament and if 210 00:10:39,707 --> 00:10:41,587 Speaker 3: they get to round of thirty two, who knows, you know. 211 00:10:41,827 --> 00:10:44,227 Speaker 3: Like I think I mentioned to you earlier, I don't 212 00:10:44,227 --> 00:10:46,907 Speaker 3: think in any of the groups, I say, a real 213 00:10:46,947 --> 00:10:49,547 Speaker 3: group of death or a group of life, I think 214 00:10:49,547 --> 00:10:51,747 Speaker 3: that the groups are evenly distributed, which is, you know, 215 00:10:51,867 --> 00:10:54,027 Speaker 3: first time ever that I've seen a World Cup draw 216 00:10:54,107 --> 00:10:57,267 Speaker 3: like that. So it's a massive opportunity for New Zealand 217 00:10:57,347 --> 00:10:59,907 Speaker 3: and I think that it would be great to see 218 00:10:59,907 --> 00:11:01,187 Speaker 3: them get into the knockout stages. 219 00:11:01,307 --> 00:11:03,307 Speaker 2: Indeed, great to see you chief, thanks for stopping it 220 00:11:03,387 --> 00:11:04,787 Speaker 2: on match day all the bastiness afternoon. 221 00:11:04,987 --> 00:11:06,627 Speaker 3: Thank you for more or. 222 00:11:06,547 --> 00:11:09,747 Speaker 1: From Weekends Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live to news 223 00:11:09,787 --> 00:11:13,307 Speaker 1: talks at B weekends from midday, or follow the podcast 224 00:11:13,347 --> 00:11:14,267 Speaker 1: on iHeartRadio