Claiming silverware is the next challenge for sexy-football aficionados Melbourne City after they smashed Hyundai A-League goals record this week. And City’s attack stats prove why they are irresistible.
Monday’s 3-0 demolition of Wellington means John van ‘t Schip’s side have now racked up an incredible 61 goals for the campaign – a record regular-season tally for the competition.
The tally beats the previous best of 58 set by Brisbane Roar four years ago, which also came in a 30-game season.
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Quite simply, City’s attacking force has been almost unstoppable on their way to probably the most prolific seasons for a club in Hyundai A-League history.
Of course, striker Bruno Fornaroli has been at the forefront of what the club has achieved in front of goal.
The Uruguayan – once a teammate of Barcelona star Luis Suarez – has become the first player to score more than 20 goals in a regular season, with 22 to his name after 25 rounds.
That figure also eclipses Besart Berisha’s total of 21 in the 2010-11 campaign, which included finals, while he’s also now the club’s greatest-ever scorer.
But City hasn’t just relied on Fornaroli’s brilliance. With Aaron Mooy (11) and Harry Novillo (10), it’s also the first time an A-League club has had three players reach double figures for the season.
Not surprisingly, City dominates most of the Opta attack stats for the competition.
They are the only side to have had more than 300 shots at goal (with 304), with 152 of those on target.
With 61 goals that’s a conversion rate of just over 20 percent, again a Hyundai A-League high, while with nine goals from outside the box they also lead the competition in that stat.
Perhaps the one surprise is they have only played 238 crosses into the box, sitting ninth in that regard in the league.
It shows they probably rely more on their intricate play in and around the box with Mooy, Fornaroli and Novillo rather than getting it wide and swinging in crosses.
But it’s not just the fact they have scored 61 goals but it’s the quality of some of those strikes which has really caught the eye.
Who can forget Fornaroli’s ‘rabona goal’ which lit up the most recent Melbourne Derby.
He beat three players on halfway and made an outrageous rabona pass before staying active in the attack to get on the end of Aaron Mooy’s pass and delicately dink over Danny Vukovic. Pure class.
Nick Fitzgerald’s left-footed curler to end Adelaide United’s unbeaten run and Novillo’s sublime free-kick in the 3-2 win over the Wanderers were two other stunners.
They arguably saved two of their best for Easter Monday. First Fornaroli’s world-class assist – deftly lifting the ball over the defence – for Novillo’s goal was a joy to watch.
Fornaroli’s second goal, where he curled a powerful shot past Glen Moss into the top corner was another moment of magic.
If you get a chance, see them live. They’ll take your breath away.
