Bruno Fornaroli capped off his first game against Melbourne City since his departure with a goal and a win in a performance to remember.
It was a special night for the Uruguayan who refused to celebrate after putting the visitors ahead, instead putting his hands together in an apologetic gesture to the crowd he used to score goals for on a regular basis.
When Fornaroli was substituted late in the game he was clapped off by Glory and City fans alike, in a showing of mutual respect from both the Glory fans who love what Fornaroli brings to their side now, and the City fans who miss what he brought to their side in the past.
“You can see the crowd saying goodbye and I have good memories here, this is the best for a player,” Fornaroli told FOX Sports post-match.
“I did everything for this club and I have good memories and love for the fans.
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“This for me is the best.
“I don’t know why but I like to play here in this stadium, I have a good feeling always.”
Fornaroli scored his 30th goal at AAMI Park – the most of any player in Hyundai A-League history at the venue – which kick-started Glory’s night out as they went on to claim a 3-0 win over City on their home deck.
Despite playing a crucial individual role in his side’s victory, Fornaroli praised the overall efforts of the entire team in what he believed was an impeccable display.
“I think we (played) a perfect game tonight,” he said.
“We need to score goals and tonight we did it, I think that’s a good win (away from) home.
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“The last couple of games we controlled the game but the other team scores the first goal.
“Tonight we scored the first and then we could relax, make it easier and control the game.”
The win was just Glory’s second of the campaign and was a much needed one at that for Popovic’s side who were stuck to the bottom of the table before the resumption of Round 9.
In their first eight hit-outs of the season Glory have enjoyed the majority of possession in all but three games, but have often struggled to break teams down in the final third.
However Perth are proving to be more effective as a unit when allowing the opposition the majority of the ball; their two wins this season against City and Wellington Phoenix have come in the two games they’ve had the least of the ball so far this season (37% and 42% respectively).
In his post-match assessment of what went right for Glory on the night, Fornaroli said City’s attacking, progressive style ultimately helped Glory hurt them and take maximum points from the game.
“(City) want to play football,” he said.
“So we had more space to the strikers for us to create something.
“The last couple of games the other team has set up back and it’s more difficult.
“Today we score the first (goal) and there’s more space, and they have to come to us.“We continue to believe in our football, we’re not changing (anything).”
Melbourne City head north to play the Newcastle Jets in Round 10. The match on Sunday, 15 December at McDonald Jones Stadium kicks off at 6.30pm AEDT. Get your tickets here
Find out more at the Match Centre here
Perth Glory entertain Western Sydney Wanderers at HBF Park on Saturday, 14 December. The Round 10 encounter kicks off at 5.45pm local, 8.45pm AEDT. Get your tickets here
Find out more at the Match Centre here
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