It has been ashamedly easy to forget how good Bruno Fornaroli was in his first two seasons in the A-League.
Arriving from Uruguay with a not-so-prolific reputation, he quickly turned into one of the A-League’s deadliest strikers.
With 29 goals in 25 games, he won the Golden Boot in his debut year, then followed it up with 17 goals in 2016-17.
Fornaroli has many cutting edge qualities. He is mobile and strong, able to hold the ball off defenders and turn quickly with his back to goal to create shooting opportunities. He is also clever at running in behind defences, as well as creating effective counter-attacks by linking up quickly with teammates on the break.
He’s also simply a very good finisher, particularly inside the penalty box.
In his first two seasons, he was spoilt by the attacking talent supporting him. Harry Novillo, another import, was a devastatingly quick and powerful wide forward, while Aaron Mooy was blossoming into a star playmaker.
Aaron Mooy in his City days (AAP Image/David Crosling)
To fit all three attackers into the same side, then-coach John van ‘t Schip switched to a 3-5-2 system, allowing Fornaroli and Novillo to play together high up the pitch and constantly cause opposition teams problems. Their rapid counter-attacks – often ending with Novillo cutting inside to finish from the left, or Fornaroli poaching inside the penalty box – were highly effective.
A broken ankle scuppered Fornaroli’s 2017-18 season, with new coach Warren Joyce only able to select the striker in Round 20. Fornaroli still managed a respectable goal tally, finishing with ten in five matches.
This season, though, three matches into the A-League season and Fornaroli is yet to score. He, of course, scored that late winner in the FFA Cup, and it is still early in the season, but watching him play has been frustrating – he’s rarely been in positions where he can be most effective, nor really showing signs of being the all-round goal threat he is at his best.
The same can be said for Melbourne City as a whole. The derby win in the opening round was a superb way to start the season, but it increasingly feels like an outlier. The 3-0 defeat to Sydney FC was sobering, and not just in the scoreline: City barely managed a goal threat against a team playing their third match in seven days.
Fornaroli, in particular, was isolated. City’s strategy in attack, to be blunt, was limited. In a 4-2-3-1 shape, the back four passed the ball horizontally across the pitch, struggling to play killer passes into the midfield or front four.
The two central midfielders, Kearyn Baccus and Luke Brattan, stayed in flat positions behind Sydney FC’s front two, not able to connect the side as they attempted to build up. Only rarely did Brattan or Baccus move to get free, but their rotations were often simplistic, either dropping very deep in between the centre-backs, or rotating wide into the full-back position. Sydney’s block was not affected by these movements, and space did not open up for City to play through.
This meant the majority of the team’s build-up was in a slow U-shape – circulating around the outside of the defensive block, and few penetrating passes centrally. On the odd occasion, one of the centre-backs would play a hopeful long pass towards Fornaroli. For all his strength, he was rarely going to win an aerial battle against Alex Wilkinson and Jop van der Linden.
That, sadly, was the extent to which Fornaroli was really involved. City struggled to create genuine goalscoring opportunities, especially as Sydney balanced excellently when in attack to prevent counter-attacks.
Bruno Fornaroli on the attack. (AAP Image/Julian Smith)
The wider issue, really, is that it is difficult to see how things will improve for Fornaroli. He was so effective in those first two seasons primarily because there was so much pace and mobility surrounding him, as well as the creative forward passing of Mooy.
Now, City’s front third players are Dario Vidosic, Florin Berenguer and Anthony Caceres – good support, but not the type of quick and dynamic attackers to help create space for Fornaroli. The central midfielders, meanwhile, just have to make sure they protect the defence. There is no onus on them to create chances for the strikers, especially not when Joyce opts for a centre-back like Osama Malik or Michael Jakobsen in midfield, as he did last season.
The closest player to a genuine goal threat, aside from Fornaroli, is Riley McGree, summed up by his superb intervention off the bench in the Melbourne Derby. Whether McGree can provide that energy and spark over a whole season, though, is questionable.
City will inevitably grind out results. Joyce has them well-organised without the ball, and the side will always be a threat on the break and from set pieces.
For those yearning for the glorious, creative play that made Fornaroli a star though, the wait may be a little longer.
MarkfromCroydon
Roar Pro
Now that he’s opened his account, I reckon he’s going to be unstoppable
RF
Roar Rookie
Yep, and what is he now - 31 going on 32? Decline time. It would be unwise to expect an improvement.
RF
Roar Rookie
I read the article too, and that was my first thought also. Suddenly the supremely disappointed Melbourne City made sense.
RF
Roar Rookie
No, the only statements valid in this comparison are: Joyce did pick Arzani Joyce didn't pick Arzani Whether or not he was "told" to play him is pure supposition. You're veering off into conspiracy theories here, Waz.
MarkfromCroydon
Roar Pro
By "real fans of real clubs" I take it you don't mean fans of mono ethnic social clubs who happen to, as a side endeavour, field a football team. You know, like those fake, plastic clubs who used to trot around in the NSL, and who now populate the NPL. You know, the ones who held football in this country back for decades and who exist NOT to grow football, but rather to exploit youth players and line the pockets and big up the reputation of board members and their business interests in their community. No, I'm sure you couldn't be referring to those clubs as "real clubs supported by real fans", because that's plainly NOT what they are. Maybe you're referring to the fully amateur clubs at lower league level who don't use junior fees to subsidise senior teams and who run their football club as a way for people to enjoy the sport of football as a recreational pursuit.
MarkfromCroydon
Roar Pro
I still remember when he announced himself when he turned Delpierre and scored. That was a quality move against probably the best centre back we've ever seen in this league.
Waz
Roar Rookie
You do not need to provide evidence, you just ask for it? Joyce did pick Arzani. Joyce didn’t pick Arzani and was gold to play him. One of those statements is true. Presumably you need evidence to believe either of them? Or do you just believe one (the first) without evidence?
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Ditto
Fadida
Guest
Odd comment Waz. I don't need to provide evidence to the contrary, it's not me throwing out a rumour based on a hunch. Mind you, the brouhaha with Kilkenny last season clearly shows Joyce is picking his own team if it's evidence you want. You are (yet again) throwing out a rumour without foundation. The last one was the Jets were up for sale. How is that going? You making an "assumption" that City are telling Joyce who to picking the team. That's not a "European model" by the way. Directors of football have a say in recruiting, they don't pick the team.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Go on then, give me evidence to the contrary? We all make assumptions on how we think things work, what assumptions have you made about City? The model I’ve described is very European, many clubs operate that way do it’s not an unusual model If you want evidence you need to stop reading blog sites, we don’t provide citations and references here. Dismiss what I’ve said, or not, I don’t care. That’s just my understanding of the situation and some of it will be right, some wrong. At the very least just consider it if you want too - someone said City aren’t adding much to the football landscape, I’d disagree - they’re adding a whole new operating model.
RF
Roar Rookie
Novillo was one of the best and most exciting players we have seen in the A League. Exactly the sort of player we all hoped City would bring in. They are, without doubt, the greatest disappointment of the A League. The club has left no stone unturned in it's quest to underwhelm.
Kangas
Roar Rookie
But fadida What do I really know , obviously the decisions of wiser men at city and the Ffa have taken the A league to amazing standards and incredible crowds and ratings . It’s must be just me that is critical , and the other 6 remaining fans on the A league on this site know better. ?? Melb city fleetingly promised so much
Kangas
Roar Rookie
That squad was entertaining and I thought the beginning of a club culture of gifted players that city would provide to the A league, to eventually play in the style of guardiola. Why did they give up that so quickly and turn to warren Joyce football. They have the resources to provide coaches snd players who are technically superior, which is a benefit to young A league players.
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Nsl clubs provided a pathway for hundreds of players to Europe , many were far more successful then Mooy . In Australia football, never has a club had so much, but delivered so little. They are a franchise of man city , I thought we be getting a guardiola clone as coach , with slick technically gifted players everywhere. Now that would be terrific for the A league and young Aussie’s .
Buddy
Roar Rookie
I don't believe New York City is that much different really despite having David Villa. They are there or thereabouts without really excelling most of the time. Change the angle of view and ask the question; if the club's philosophy and aims are to scout, recruit and pass on players to the parent club in order to generate more revenue, what is in it for the fans? why would you support them if you don't believe the aims are to be the best and to win at all costs - the mantra of many clubs around the globe!
Mister Football
Roar Guru
You're right, it doesn't really explain it, unless they think he has particular skills in youth development
Fadida
Guest
And he was me imagining you saying they "add nothing exciting to the league"?!!!!!!
Fadida
Guest
Where is your evidence to back this up Waz?
Fadida
Guest
Seriously Kanga? They have great facilities, an outstanding youth development pathway, and a loyal following. They have springboarded Arzani and Mooy.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Name a good coach City have had? Also remember CFG view this as a long term project, they will get it right and they will win the title. They’re just not going to burn unnecessary cash to do it quickly.