Victory confident they can fill Bruno void as they look to go top of A-League Men

Melbourne Victory coach Tony Popovic believes his side has adequately prepared for life without Bruno Fornaroli as they prepare to head to Perth and try to go top of the ALM... for real this time.

The reasoning behind it may have caught him slightly off guard, but Melbourne Victory A-League Men boss Tony Popovic is confident that his side has prepared well enough to replace Bruno Fornaroli at the tip of its spear. 

Scoring Victory’s second in their 2-0 win over Adelaide United on Saturday to make it 13 goals in just ten games, Fornaroli departed to join the Socceroos for the Asian Cup campaign the following day, leaving a Prickly Pear-shaped hole in Victory’s front line. 

Not only was the 35-year-old well out in front of the Golden Boot race when he left but, when accounting for his one assist, he had been directly involved in 66% percent of his side’s goals this season. 

Though rumours have swirled about Victory potentially bringing in an extra hand to help fill some of that void in the January transfer window – with the disclaimer from Popovic that said individual will need to be able to contribute post-Fornaroli return – there as yet has been no movement in Victory’s arrivals lounge.

It leaves the likes of Chris Ikonomidis, Eli Adams, Ben Folami, and possibly even Zinédine Machach as in-house replacements, with the former shaping as the most likely replacement for this week’s trip to Perth. 

“We've got a few options here, you'll see tomorrow,” said Popovic. 

“I wouldn't say we've necessarily tried so many different things this week. We've been constantly putting players in different positions throughout the preseason and the season thus far in anticipation that there could be an injury or a suspension. 

“Obviously, it's come up in a different way with the Socceroos call-up for Bruno but we feel we have good alternatives and good options in that area.”

A win over the Glory on Saturday evening would also vault Victory to the top of the A-League Men’s ladder. For real this time. 

The four-time A-League Men champions thought they’d done so last week when they levelled Wellington on points atop the league and possessed a superior goal difference. 

An eagle-eyed parody account of Nix boss Giancarlo Italiano on social media site Twitter, however, noted in the subsequent days that competition regulations had been changed before the season to make wins, not goal difference the league’s pre-eminent tie-breaker.

One hasty update to the table later – even the league’s own media arm appeared unaware of the change, listing Victory atop the league on the A-League’s official website – and Victory was back in second.

But with Wellington failing to defeat Adelaide on Thursday evening, three points for Victory would see them move to the head of the table with no tie breakers required. 

“We thought we were on top after our last win on gold difference but we've been informed that has changed and leading into last night's game we were second,” said Popovic.

“I haven't thought about [the long-term ramifications] too much. It's still a little bit raw. 

“That's a decision they've made. We've been told that it was in the regulations at the start. I probably find it a bit strange that goal difference isn't the first determining criterion. 

“But look, that's a decision they've made and it doesn't change where we're at at the moment. We're undefeated, we're in a good position and we go into this tough period of away games starting with Perth Glory tomorrow. 

“And we have an opportunity to win another game of football and possibly be top of the table.”

After a week out in the league’s concussion protocol, Adama Traore will be available for selection for the Glory clash, with Fornaroli the only player made unavailable since the win over Adelaide. 

Second-bottom, Glory will be without starting centre-backs Mark Beevers and Aleksandar Susnjar after both received red cards in their side’s 4-2 loss to Central Coast last week – the latest blow in a season in which things on- and off-field haven’t gone the club’s way. 

"It's a place that if you get right can be quite special,” Popovic, who coached Glory to a premiership in 2018-19, said. 

“It's a wonderful stadium, great support. There are some very good players here, they've got a lot of young talent coming through in the academy. There is a lot of potential for that football club and I for one, hope they it right because I had a wonderful experience there.”