Melbourne Victory are still holding out hope that their Spanish superstar Juan Mata isn't coming into his final weeks at the club.
In the meantime, Arthur Diles's charges are adamant they can beat anyone standing in their way.
That starts with hosting former manager Patrick Kisnorbo and fierce rivals Sydney FC in a cut-throat elimination final next Saturday at AAMI Park.
The club hope Mata, fresh off his return from a fractured elbow against Western Sydney, can make his mark and be in Victory colours for at least a few more weeks yet - if not beyond.
Mata has parked talks with Victory regarding an extension until season's end, having delivered a stunning 13 assists and five goals.
"That's a discussion for post-season. I can't answer that question at this point," Diles said in his press conference when asked if Mata would be back next season.
"I'd love to see him go around another season, but that's going to be on him. We love having him at the club.
"He's, I've always said, a fantastic human being first and foremost, and as a footballer he's next-level.
"The longer we can keep him in this country and the longer we can keep him at Melbourne Victory, the game's better, the club's better and the team's stronger.
"Fingers crossed, when the time comes he makes a decision that is great for us, and if not, we'll respect whatever decision he makes. But so far he's been a blessing for us."
Victory did their part in securing fourth place and a home elimination final by beating Western Sydney 2-0 at CommBank Stadium on Saturday night.
Adelaide's comeback 2-1 win over City and Auckland's 2-2 draw with Sydney on Sunday meant the Reds finished second behind premiers Newcastle and earn a week off, as well as a play-off spot in the Asian Champions League Elite.
Auckland will host City, while Victory host Sydney and will face Kisnorbo for the first time since he left the club for an assistant coaching role at Yokohama F. Marinos in December 2024 - just seven ALM games into a three-year contract.
"There's no team we fear - we respect everyone, we don't fear - and we know on our day we can beat anyone," Diles told Paramount Plus.
"We've proven that in big games we stand up, and now they're all going to be big games, so there's no excuse now. We've got to be ready for that.
"Whoever's in front of us, we've got to be ready to knock them off."
