Finals look to be well and truly on the agenda for Bruno Fornaroli and Melbourne City this season but the Club captain says his side are squarely focused on the four remaining matches, saying it’s just as important to finish as high as possible.
City are hitting their straps at the right time of the season, recording back-to-back wins and netting seven goals in the last two matches and the Uruguayan has made it clear that his side do not intend on halting their run.
With players finding form across the board and Fornaroli himself continuing his impressive form in front of goal, the captain believes his side is focused on what they want to achieve over the next four and possibly seven weeks.
“We have a big stretch of games in front of us,” Fornaroli said.
“Two away games then our last home match then we need to go away to Perth for the last match. It’s four finals for us and in these games, we need to play the best football to take confidence in the finals when we go ahead.
“I think it was a great game for us last Saturday. We played very good football and everyone did their job.
“We prepared very well for it so we are happy with the performance but we need to continue this way. We need to prepare for the finals so this is a good way to do it. Everyone focused on the work and this is perfect for us.”
Fornaroli moved to within a goal of Besart Berisha in the race to the Golden Boot with his double against Newcastle and the humble striker said he has not followed the race at all this season, staying focused on doing the job with his team.
“I do my job, I don’t think much of the golden boot, this is the truth,” he said.
“I just continue to do my work and that’s it, helping my team is what I think. I’m a striker and I want to score a lot of goals but I want to help my team first and that’s the most important thing.”
The striker’s will to get his team through thick and thin was most poignant on the weekend with the symbolic gesture to Fernando Brandan, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury.
After his first goal on Saturday, Fornaroli acknowledged his teammate on the sidelines and felt it was the least he could do for his close friend.
“I feel a little bit more for him because we’re good mates and we stay together all day and I try to help him settle here and around every day,” he said.
“It’s difficult for us when one teammate suffers this, it’s a bad situation for everyone because everyone knows Fernando is very passionate guy.
“He’s close with everyone and he adds a lot of experience in the changeroom so it’s bad for us. The least we can do for Fernando in this moment is give him support and I think this is a good demonstration of how we can support him and stay close. We know he’ll be back stronger.”
City and Fornaroli take on the Western Sydney Wanderers this Friday night at Spotless Stadium as they look to cement their position on the ladder. See the match on Fox Sports 505 and SBSVICELAND at 7.50pm.
