Fornaroli ready to fire for Melbourne Victory interim coach Arthur Diles

Having ‘disappeared’ during Patrick Kisnorbo’s tenure as Melbourne Victory coach, Bruno Fornaroli is grateful for the game time he’s receiving under Arthur Diles.

Bruno Fornaroli has a new lease of life under Arthur Diles, and wants to repay the faith being shown in him by Melbourne Victory’s interim coach with goals and wins.

The Victory, who host Western United at AAMI Park on Friday night, are yet to win in four matches under Diles, the club’s former assistant coach who took charge of the team last month following the sudden exit of Patrick Kisnorbo, who has joined the coaching staff at Japanese club Yokohama F. Marinos.

Under Kisnorbo, who only joined the club in the off-season after Tony Popovic departed, the Victory were winning.

However, veteran marksman Fornaroli was getting very little game time, despite scoring 18 goals in the club’s 2023-24 A-League campaign.

But under Diles, who was also Popovic’s assistant, a rejuvenated Fornaroli has started twice in four games.

Bruno Fornaroli has received more game time at Melbourne Victory since the departure of Patrick Kisnorbo. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images

“I’m getting much more minutes than before, but this is football,” the 37-year-old attacker said.

“A new coach changes everything. I can say the same thing before (this). After the (23-24) season that I had, a new coach (Kisnorbo) came here and I disappeared.

“Now there’s (another) new coach. He knows me well, so I’m happy to have more minutes, and I’m back in the rhythm of the game, and I can provide a lot for the team.”

What Fornaroli wants to “provide” more than anything is goals.

He has only scored once this season, finding the back of the net when coming off the bench in the Victory’s 3-1 win over Western United on December 1.

“For a striker, it’s like a bottle of champagne - as soon as it’s open it starts to go out,” Fornaroli said.

“Once I score a goal, everything will be in the right place. We are positive, I am positive, and I know the results will come and the goals will as well.

“We (the Victory players) want to win for us, the club and for him (Diles) as well.”

Don't miss seeing Jason one last time in navy blue 💙

🎟 https://t.co/AaWV9WSll5pic.twitter.com/RDgSSkLgcb

— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) January 9, 2025

Despite having played second fiddle to Nikos Vergos for a large part of the season, Fornaroli said he and the Greek striker were good friends.

“We are very close. Nikos is not only a top player, he’s a good person as well,’’ he said.

“We talk all day. I’ve tried to help him from the start. We both want to play, that’s clear, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a good relationship.

“We train hard to win the spot, and then whoever plays, the other one supports. That’s great for us and for the group as well.”

Another of Fornaroli’s close friends in the team, Socceroos defender Jason Geria, is set to play his final match for the Victory on Friday night before leaving to continue his career in Japan.

“I’m very happy for him, but I’m very sad because he’s my `roomie’ as well,” Fornaroli said.

“At the same time, I know how hard he works, and he deserves this opportunity. He’s a top player and a top person as well.

“He’s a club legend, so I hope we win (on Friday night) so he can leave in the best way possible.”

Originally published as Fornaroli ready to fire for Melbourne Victory interim coach Arthur Diles