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Melbourne Victory striker Bruno Fornaroli ‘not worried’ by lack of goals

One of the A-League’s best strikers hasn’t scored in more than a month, but he’s not letting his barren run worry him.

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Melbourne Victory striker Bruno Fornaroli insists he’s unconcerned with his five-match scoring drought and is confident his “chance” to again find the back of the net will come during the A-League finals series.

Fornaroli and his Victory teammates were foiled by a strong defensive display from Wellington Phoenix in Sunday’s semi-final first-leg 0-0 draw at AAMI Park.

The Socceroos marksman, who finished second in the race for the Golden Boot with 18 goals, hasn’t scored since netting a penalty in the Victory’s 2-1 win over Melbourne City on April 6.

However, the veteran attacker is hopeful the barren run will come to an end in Saturday’s semi-final second-leg battle with the Phoenix at Sky Stadium, where a spot in the following weekend’s grand final will be up for grabs.

Bruno Fornaroli has scored in his past five matches. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
Bruno Fornaroli has scored in his past five matches. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

“I’m not worried,’ Fornaroli said.

“I’m calm, I’m happy as well and I still believe. I know my chance will come.

“It could come in the next game or maybe in the final.”

Despite claiming to be “happy”, Fornaroli was clearly miffed to be substituted in the dying stages of Sunday’s stalemate.

“I’m never happy when I come off,” he said.

“I knew there was another five or six minutes to play, and I always believe until the end that I will have a chance … but the squad is ready, the players that come on make an impact, so sometimes you have to go off, even if you don’t like it.

“He (Victory coach Tony Popovic) is the boss. It’s his decision and you have to take it.”

The Victory is yet to beat the Phoenix this season in four attempts.

“Sometimes football pays you what you deserve, and in a lot of the games (against the Phoenix) we deserved to win and (Sunday) was another case, so maybe (a win) is waiting (in Wellington),” Fornaroli said.

Originally published as Melbourne Victory striker Bruno Fornaroli ‘not worried’ by lack of goals

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Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/sport/football/melbourne-victory-striker-bruno-fornaroli-not-worried-by-lack-of-goals/news-story/1e14e008117cae14a8139df8d1add176