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City confident ahead of A-League finals

Melbourne City face an elimination final against Perth Glory at AAMI Park on Sunday after finishing the regular season fourth on the A-League ladder.

City's Bruno Fornaroli
Melbourne City skipper Bruno Fornaroli remains confident his side can turn the tables on Perth Glory (AAP)

Melbourne City skipper Bruno Fornaroli remains confident his side can turn the tables on Perth Glory in their A-League elimination final.

City suffered a 5-4 defeat in Perth in a wild final round of the regular season but were still able to hang on to fourth spot and earn the right to host Sunday's game at AAMI Park.

"We have confidence for this game ... we play at home, so it's better for us and our fans," Fornaroli said.

"But I think this game will be a little bit different than last Sunday."

A more defensive encounter is expected this time around after both teams chased big wins last week.

Perth were attempting to peg back City's superior goal difference in order to claim a home final, while Michael Valkanis' side were hoping to claim an Asian Champions League berth by finishing third.

"It was a crazy game because we both needed to win and Perth needed to score a lot of goals," the Uruguayan said.

"But this (final) will be different.

"We can always learn ... it doesn't matter whether you win or lose. In this sport you need to learn.

"Now we have a long week to fix everything, work hard and focus on the final."

City haven't managed to beat the Glory in three meetings this season but bundled Kenny Lowe's team out of last season's finals series at the elimination final stage.

Fornaroli scored twice in that game to cap a season where he scored a record 23 goals to claim the golden boot award.

City were soundly beaten 4-1 in the semi-final by eventual champions Adelaide United but Fornaroli believes they are capable of clinching a maiden A-League title this time around.

"We have confidence, it's all about us, if we put that out on the pitch we can win," he said.

"Of course (we can win it). We're here to try to win.

"If not I'd go home."


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



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