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Fornaroli looking forward to Adelaide final
Melbourne City's star forward talks about his goals against Perth Glory and says he is enjoying the way things are going.
PT3M7S 620 349Melbourne City coach John van 't Schip won't automatically give absent stars Harry Novillo and Ivan Franjic places in the side for the semi-final against Adelaide United on Friday night.
The club will appeal the second game of Novillo's suspension to the FFA's independent disciplinary committee on Tuesday night and, if successful, will have the French star available for selection to face Adelaide United.
Novillo was suspended for two games for kicking out at Adelaide United players during a scuffle in their last round clash at AAMI Park.
Jack Clisby and Patrick Kisnorbo, of Melbourne City, and Andy Keogh, of Perth Glory, contest a header during the A-League elimination final. Photo: Getty Images
Franjic has a hamstring injury and van 't Schip said he was determined to be fit for the semi-final after the injury forced him out of the side that beat Perth Glory 2-0 at AAMI Park on Sunday.
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While striker Bruno Fornaroli's two stunning goals were the highlights, van 't Schip praised young trio Jack Clisby, Paulo Retre and Anthony Caceres for their fighting performance against the Glory.
He said Novillo was not a certain starter even if eligible.
"We all know Harry has been important and still is important but the boys who came in and had the opportunity took it," van 't Schip said.
"It was a real fighting team on the park and we played some good football so I think we have shown the depth in the team is there, and it's now up to Harry that he has to fight himself back into the team."
Caceres took a fierce tackle from Glory defender Shane Lowry in the first half and while he played until midway through the second half - when van 't Schip substituted him - the speedy midfielder looked in pain.
"Caceres looked sore but we took him off because he had done unbelievable work in the first half," van 't Schip said.
"We didn't take him off because he was injured, we took him off because I thought his engine was getting a bit empty."
Considering City were missing two experienced stars and went into the game after two straight losses, van 't Schip said his players' mental toughness impressed him.
"We had two losses, mentally we had a bit of a hit the last two weeks but the boys really bounced back and showed that they wanted it," van 't Schip said.
"We were aggressive, we were on the front foot pressing them and in the end it was a deserved win for us."
Van 't Schip said his side would give their all against Adelaide with a grand final place to play for.
"It's going to be a finals game and we've shown it two times there and every game is different," van 't Schip said.
"Having a week's longer break to prepare and get fit is in their advantage and they are playing at home.
"We need to keep this confidence and this vibe going.
"We have to make sure we are ready to go 90 minutes and maybe for longer."
Melbourne City play Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium, Adelaide, on Friday at 7.35pm.