Expect steely inward focus and no outward shows of emotion from retiring Melbourne Victory captain Carl Valeri when he starts his last A-League finals campaign later this week.
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The 34-year-old former Socceroos midfielder announced earlier this month he would finish up at the end of Victory's 2018-19 campaign.
Before that happens, Canberra product Valeri wants to reach a fourth grand final and win a third championship in his five-season stint with the Victorian glamour club.
His quest continues on Friday at Melbourne's AAMI Park, where third-placed Victory host Wellington Phoenix, who slumped to sixth on the back of a 5-0 last round hiding at Perth.
Valeri could play one more home game before he finishes, but it will be a relatively meaningless Asian Champions League match, with Victory already effectively out of contention to advance beyond their group.
Conversely, Friday's game is a high stakes must-win clash for Victory as they seek to become the first club since Brisbane Roar in 2012 to win back-to-back titles.
If Victory lose it would be the final league game of Valeri's career, but he's not falling into the trap of getting sentimental or emotional and treating the last month of his 15-season professional career any differently.
"I just can't. I've done it for so long it's like when you're in such a routine to prepare for games and to approach games in a certain way its almost impossible for me to do anything else," Valeri said.
"I made the decision to myself not to over-emphasise everything. Just to treat it like I have done in the past, leave nothing out on the pitch, which is one of the things I always try and do, and that's been my main focus.
"I haven't got caught up in the emotions of it. There will be plenty of time to have a cry, have a laugh afterwards with my friends, with my family."
If Victory do triumph on Friday they will potentially need to win away at the top two clubs, Perth and Sydney to clinch successive championships.
Victory negotiated a similarly hazardous path last season when they won away to the top two teams.
They have already won at the home ground of Premiers Plate winner Perth and runner-up Sydney in the current campaign.
"Some of our best games this season have been on the road away from home," Valeri said.
Meanwhile, Melbourne City striker Jamie Maclaren has pledged to play through the pain as his club's A-League season goes on the line in Sunday's elimination final against Adelaide United.
That's because there's a deeper level of hurt the Socceroos doesn't want to feel again; the anguish that comes with getting within touching distance of a big prize but to miss out.
Maclaren, 25, sees this season as his best chance of silverware after two near misses at his previous A-League homes.
In 2014, the emerging star lost the inaugural FFA Cup final with Perth Glory to the same team and at the same venue that will host Sunday's do-or-die affair; Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium. AAP
A-LEAGUE ELIMINATION FINALS
Friday, 7.50pm: Melbourne Victory v Wellington Phoenix, AAMI Park, Melbourne.
Sunday, 7pm: Adelaide United v Melbourne City, Coopers Stadium, Adelaide.
