Melbourne City captain and A-League superstar Bruno Fornaroli joked he’s “not Ronaldo” but hopes to score the goals to help land the club their first Hyundai A-League title.
After scoring a record-breaking 25 goals last season, anticipation is high on the Uruguayan to deliver again for John van ‘t Schip’s star-studded outfit.
Speaking at the Hyundai A-League launch for Season 2016/17, Fornaroli was keen to temper expectation and set a target for his goal return.
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“We’ll have to see, I’m not [Cristiano] Ronaldo,” was Fornaroli’s answer when asked if he could better his phenomenal performances from last season.
“When I start each season I put short-term goals. You want to start and take confidence by playing good the first game.
“But of course for a striker you have to score. I don’t think at the start of the year ‘I want 28 or 30 goals’, for me it’s short term.”
One thing Fornaroli is more certain of is City’s title credentials after falling one game short of the grand final last season.
He admits the pressure is on the club to deliver silverware but Fornaroli wants his team-mates to embrace it as they strive to reach the next level.
“This is the real football. When you feel this pressure it’s better for the team and better for everyone,” he told www.a-league.com.au
“You need to stay focused every time to try and win every game and we’re ready for this.
“This year we have very good players like Neil Kilkenny, Luke [Brattan], Fernando [Brandan], [Nicolas] Colazo, Tiimmy [Cahill] and I think it will help us a lot.
“Yes we have a little bit more pressure to win the league but I like this and I want to win the league.”
While City opens their season away at Wellington on Saturday, much of the focus – from the fans at least – has already shifted to the blockbuster Melbourne Derby against Victory in Round 2.
Asked about that match-up and which club was the biggest in Melbourne, Fornaroli said: “City is a big team. But to say the biggest in Melbourne you have to win the league first.
“I know the fans all look at the derby but we have to focus on Wellington because it is difficult to play there and they have a very good team this year.
“But we are ready. We want to start well and this is a game we want to win. Then we look at the derby.”
