Former Melbourne City favourite Bruno Fornaroli has scored for Melbourne Victory to play a key role in their 3-2 derby upset, free of the fan violence that marred the A-League Men rivals’ previous encounter.
Fornaroli netted in the opening minute of the second half at AAMI Park on Saturday night to help give Victory a shock triumph over the league leaders, lifting Tony Popovic’s side off the foot of the table.
The Uruguayan-born Socceroo, who led City to their first trophy just over six years ago before moving to Perth Glory and then Victory, was initially denied by a brilliant Tom Glover save when he turned Ben Folami’s cross towards goal.
But Fornaroli recovered quickest to nod home the rebound and celebrated wildly with Victory’s active supporters behind the northern goal.
Earlier, French defender Damien Da Silva gave the derby an early spark and marked his Victory home debut with a headed opener from a corner in the seventh minute.
It was cancelled out by Socceroos striker Mathew Leckie’s 24th minute header at the other end as City dominated possession.
But Fornaroli restored Victory’s advantage after the break and could have just about sealed the much-needed win with a close-range shot in a crowded penalty area.
He was denied again by a point-blank save from Glover, leaving Victory facing a nervous final 20 minutes.
But they defended stoutly and Josh Brillante found the net in the 77th minute with a deflected shot from outside the box.
Leckie gave City a lifeline with his second goal just three minutes later but Rado Vidosic’s men couldn’t find a late equaliser.
After ugly scenes at the December derby – when a violent pitch invasion led to the match being called off – there was no obvious crowd trouble on Saturday night.
Victory’s active fans taunted Glover throughout the night with songs referencing the incident that left the goalkeeper with concussion and lacerations to the head in the previous encounter, when he was struck by a fan wielding a metal bucket.
Source: AAP
