On the surface, Melbourne Victory’s acquisition of Bruno Fornaroli can appear like the signing of a player surplus to requirement. The former Melbourne City and Perth Glory striker joins a six-player fight for three positions in Tony Popovic’s frontline.
But viewed through the reality of Victory’s season so far, Fornaroli could be exactly what Victory needs, with Popovic’s side goalless in three games and looking to avoid a four-game goalless drought only experienced once in club history – in season one of the Isuzu UTE A-League.
Victory return to AAMI Park on Friday night to take on Newcastle Jets – Fornaroli is included in the squad, and expected to feature for the hosts as they look to avoid another unwanted record: they’ve lost three on the bounce at home, and a fourth consecutive defeat would be Victory’s outright longest losing run at the venue in the history of the competition.
But where does the Uruguayan fit in Popovic’s plans?
Former A-Leagues and Socceroos striker Scott McDonald – current Gold Coast Knights FC head coach – says Popovic’s deep pool of options is a blessing, but can become a curse if dispersion of minutes leads to disgruntlement among senior players.
“I don’t think as a coach there you worry about having too many options,” McDonald told KEEPUP. “I think it puts more pressure and onus on the players themselves, in terms of being those guys elected to play the game.
“It gives you variability. You know Tony’s not afraid to make changes as well. I think where the decision has come from, throughout this campaign so far they’ve done everything up until the point of the final third, and being ruthless in front of goal. I think a fully fit Bruno can certainly give you a different type of cutting edge.
“It gives you a jolt as a player. Over time does it get tiresome for players? Yes it does. Is there bickering? Not to say there will be at Victory, but from my experience if you’re not playing it can get a little fractious.
“It’s more the senior ones than anyone else, the younger ones will fight hard and get on with it, the senior players want to play week in week out. I think Bruno felt he wasn’t going to play week in, week out (at Perth) and that’s why he wanted to leave – but it’s no guarantees he’ll do that at Victory, either.
“However, he’ll see it as an opportunity going back with Popovic that they’re in a better position now to win something – and that excites older players. If you’re going to finish soon you want to end on a high note, and try to win something Bruno’s gone close to but not done yet: the championship.”
Does Fornaroli’s arrival call for a change in shape?
With Tomi Juric, Nick D’Agostino and now Fornaroli in Victory’s ranks, Popovic has three Number 9s proven in the A-League Men at his disposal. He also has four wingers in Ben Folami, Luis Nani, Chris Ikonomidis and Nishan Velupillay competing for two spots out wide in a formation built off a back four, with two deeper lying midfielders, a number 10 role – usually filled by Jake Brimmer – and a front three.
Only Ikonomidis, D’Agostino and central midfielder Josh Brillante have hit the back of the net for Victory this season – and all three of those goals came in Round 1.
This is a breakdown of Victory’s attacking contribution over the season to date:
GOALS
- Brillante (1)
- Ikonomidis (1)
- D’Agostino (1)
ASSISTS
- Nani (1)
- Ikonomidis (1)
- Folami (1)
CHANCES CREATED
- Brimmer (9)
- Ikonomidis (5)
- Folami (5)
- D’Agostino (4)
- Nani (3)
- Velupillay (2)
“He won’t change the formation,” McDonald says. “He won’t change it. Popa’s got his way, they all know that way. Like I said, it just adds another one to pick out of the three or four he’s going to pick from. That’s it.
There’s nothing mysterious, tactical or technical about it. If you’re the best, you play.
“From the manager’s perspective it’s: ‘I’ve just brought someone else in, now it’s time to up your game. You’ve got to score goals or you’re not going to play. You’ve got to make assists or you’re not going to play’. I’d rather have all those selection problems than to have none at all.”
Where does Nani fit into Victory plans?
After a bright start to life in Victory colours, Nani has struggled to impact Victory’s fortunes over three consecutive games – admittedly, there has been a dip in output across the board over those three games (two losses and a draw).
Nani played the first three rounds of the season in wide areas, but moved centrally in Round 4 to play behind D’Agostino as a consequence of Brillante’s Round 3 red card. Brimmer moved deeper next to Rai Marchan in midfield, with Ikonomids and Folami operating off the flanks.
Victory drew a blank despite taking 29 shots in a 0-0 draw against Brisbane Roar, who were reduced to 10 men in the second half.
“Nani for me hasn’t performed yet, to be perfectly honest,” McDonald said.
I’m expecting more. A lot more. I wasn’t impressed at all on the weekend.
“Maybe the heat you could excuse – but he did play in Orlando for many a year so I’m not going to use that as an excuse for him. He needs to stop being as wasteful as he was on the weekend, because he’s better than that. He’s played at the elite level, so I don’t expect him to be wasting the ball.
“I don’t see Nani breaking into that midfield three, I think that midfield three is as solid as you get it: Brimmer, Brillante and Marchan. Watching Marchan on the weekend, he’s a top player. His touch, how he protects the back four and blows Brillante to get further forward and Brimmer to be a bit more further advanced.
“That’s your best three – then it’s the best of the rest after that, who can be the most consistent.
“I think Chris Ikonomidis is getting back to his best, which is a great sign for Victory and everyone – because I really like watching him in full flight.
“Velupillay is still really young and exciting – and then you’ve got Folami who I think Popa really likes, he’s picked him a lot, even last year in a wider role. Then it’s just a straight one-for-one in terms of D’Agostino or Fornaroli through the middle.
“That’s the way I look at it. It’s up to the rest in wide areas to fight it out between the four of them.”
