Reno Piscopo’s stunning long-range striker fired Melbourne Victory to their second win of the Isuzu UTE A-League season after they defeated Macarthur Bulls 2-1 at AAMI Park.
Despite controlling the first half, Victory found themselves behind in the 51st minute with star Bulls striker Valere Germain heading his side into the lead from a Marin Jakolis cross on Sunday afternoon.
Brought on as a second-half substitute, Daniel Arzani then levelled things up for Victory, converting from the penalty spot after Macarthur defender Walter Scott was penalised for handball.
Piscopo then stole the show just seven minutes later, scoring what will be one of the best goals on the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League season to seal the win as he bent the ball beyond Filip Kurto and into the top corner from 30 metres out.
Eyebrows were raised before kick off with news Victory striker Bruno Fornaroli was left out of the matchday squad with no reports of an injury for Uruguayan-born Socceroo.
“Intriguingly, there’s no Bruno Fornaroli on the bench. No injury as far as we’re aware for last season’s top scorer,” said Network 10 commentator Simon Hill before Fornaroli was pictured sat in the stands.
“Perhaps despite the warm weather, looks like he’s out in the cold at the moment at Victory.”
Looking to replicate their blistering first half display in the Melbourne Derby, Victory had a plethora of early chances but it was Macarthur who came closest to opening the scoring.
Carrying the ball in field, Jake Hollman picked out the run of Drew down the Bulls’ right and the winger chopped back onto his left foot before whipping a low shot inches past the far post.
Victory responded with a big chance of their own, midfielder Ryan Teague flashing an effort narrowly wide of Kurto’s goal but the Bulls were seemingly happy to hit their opponents on the counter and the breakthrough came shortly after the break.
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Collecting the ball out on the left, winger Jakolis curled an inviting ball onto the head of the ever-dangerous Germain, who’s flicked header nestled into the far corner of Jack Duncan’s goal.
Victory responded in turn with Zinedine Machach cutting a frustrated figure after blazing an excellent chance over the bar before then firing an effort into the side-netting and that would prove to be his final touch of the game as he was substituted for Arzani in the 61st minute.
Left out of the Australia Cup final against his old side Macarthur Bulls and keen to show his head coach why he should be in the team, Arzani soon got his opportunity.
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Whipping a good corner into the box, Arzani’s delivery found Jason Geria and his header hit the outstretched arm of Bulls substitute Walter Scott, with referee Jack Morgan pointing to the spot; up stepped Arzani to cooly despatch the spotkick.
Now full of confidence, Victory took the lead just seven minutes later care of an absolute stunner from winger Piscopo.
Collecting the ball in the middle of the Macarthur half, Piscopo travelled towards the Bulls’ box before unleashing an unstoppable effort from 30 metres out, beautifully bending the ball beyond the outstretched dive of Filip Kurto and into the top corner.
With the away side now throwing caution to the win in search of an equaliser, gaps began to open up at the back.
Brazilian import Santos raced onto a loose ball from the Bulls backline but couldn’t get a shot off while substitute Jing Reec then saw a late effort blocked by some last ditch defending from Hollman.
Macarthur applied plenty of late pressure on the home side but Victory held on for an impressive win, with the result moving Kisnorbo’s side up into second on the ladder.
