329 minutes without a Hyundai A-League goal must have resembled an age for Bruno Fornaroli.
That’s probably why one of the competition’s most lethal hit-men celebrated snapping his mini goal-drought against Wellington Phoenix with such vigour.
The 31-year-old’s magnificent curling effort in Melbourne City’s 2-0 win over Phoenix on Friday night means the Uruguayan is now up and running for the 2018/19 Season.
MATCH REPORT: De Laet, Fornaroli on target as City cruise past Phoenix
RE-LIVE: City too good for Phoenix in Remembrance Round opener
WATCH FOR FREE: How to watch the Hyundai A-League LIVE and FREE
Just another @BFornaroli special! ???? ? FOXFOOTBALL #MCYvWEL pic.twitter.com/rJkjjYl1of
— Melbourne City FC ?️ (@MelbourneCity) November 9, 2018
And the City star admitted he was playing with more pressure than usual when he took to the field against the Kiwis for Remembrance Round.
“Look, you always have pressure because you are a striker,” he told Fox Sports after the match.
“The team doesn’t win the last week and I put pressure on myself because I want to score and I want to fight for my team.
“Of course, I have this passion inside and this is why it came out today.”
Fornaroli is now closing in on a milestone that will see him cement his status as one of the best forwards to play in the Hyundai A-League.
The Uruguayan’s strike against Phoenix brought his goal tally to 48 in 70 Hyundai A-League matches.
But as the post-match dust settles, a big three points won and a strong response to Round 3’s defeat to Sydney FC is the only thing on Fornaroli’s mind.
? DE LAET | "It was a nice goal from (Fornaroli). I'm happy for him. He needed that to get his confidence up and I'm sure there is plenty more to come from him. I'm sure he will score a lot more than I will this season." #ALeague #MCYvWEL
— Hyundai A-League (@ALeague) November 9, 2018
WJ: (re: Fornaroli) He's relived to score his first goal of the season. The opportunity in the first half he missed he was frustrated about but his goal, he didn't have to think about it and placed it in the top corner.
— Melbourne City FC ?️ (@MelbourneCity) November 9, 2018
“This is the most important thing tonight. I think we played well too, we have the confidence again.
“We try, try, try again and I think it’s a good win.
“I said before, it’s important to work hard for the team before I score because I’m a striker and I play for this.
“But tonight it’s a great feeling again to score and just work, keep going and I know the goals are coming.”