Desperate for his first A-League Men title, Melbourne Victory sharp shooter Bruno Fornaroli is ready to take centre stage in a do-or-die finals series.
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Fornaroli started his career at City and won the 2016 FFA Cup (now Australia Cup) as captain.
The 36-year-old striker will face City in Sunday's elimination final at AAMI Park - the first of four potential games en route to the trophy.
When asked what a first title would mean, Fornaroli said: "Everything."
"It would be so special, especially after too many years trying to win one," he said.
"This year we have the opportunity, a great squad and we have the chance.
"We try to do everything that we can and I will try to do everything I can to try to help the team to win the title, and a first one for me."
A bumper crowd is expected in the elimination match, with the winner progressing to a two-legged semi-final clash with second-placed Wellington.
"This is what you want to play - in front of a big crowd and a derby, so it's exciting for everyone," he said.
"That makes me ... try to find the best ways possible to play my best football and I'm ready to do it.
"If you don't win, you will be out. So for us it's the most important game and we need to win.
"We need to play our football as well and I think we have players ready to do it.
"So that makes me feel comfortable and confident that we can can do it."
Fornaroli is off-contract at season's end but intends to remain at Victory.
"I'm very comfortable. I'm more than comfortable - I would say 'happy'. That's the word for me," he said.
"I guess like everyone can see inside the field - I'm feeling happy, playing my best football and the club support me a lot in every single area.
"So I hope I can stay."
Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has made it clear it would be hard to consider ALM players for June's World Cup qualifiers unless they reached grand final week.
But Fornaroli knows his club form will speak for itself.
"I can't think (about) June," Fornaroli said.
"I have a big game on Sunday."
Australian Associated Press
