Melbourne City have 'moved on' from Fornaroli: Brattan

Melbourne City have moved on from the lack of Bruno Fornaroli in Hyundai A-League action, according to Luke Brattan.

Fornaroli was dropped from the City first team for the side’s Round 5 loss against Brisbane Roar and has not featured in Warren Joyce’s Hyundai A-League plans since.

But Brattan, a close friend of the Uruguayan, says it is business as usual at the City camp despite Fornaroli’s absence from the team sheet.

“As players, we’ve moved on, he’s back training…he’s always been training,” Brattan told reporters this week.

“These things happen in football for whatever reason. He’s happy, he’s training and I think the gaffer said a couple of weeks ago that if he trains well enough, then he could be back in the team which is great.

“Everyone has moved on, I’m one of his best mates here, it’s definitely hard for me, but I see him every day and everyone is happy.

“It’s tough. He’s one of my best friends in the team, but at the end of the day, that’s football. I think everyone has moved on, Bruno is still himself, he’s still happy and he’s still training.

“That’s just part of football and hopefully it gets resolved. We’re not using it as an excuse and Bruno and the boys have been very professional about it. It’s not a distraction in the least.”

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The absence of the prolific Hyundai A-League marksman has led to first-team chances for some of City’s younger stars to press their claim.

Ramy Najjarine, Lachlan Wales and Riley McGree have all featured regularly recent weeks, and Brattan urged the youngsters to continue showcasing their quality – starting with this Saturday night’s Melbourne Derby.

“I think they’ve got a bit of freedom now to come in and show what they’re made of,” Brattan continued.

“There isn’t much pressure on the young kids, they’re playing for a massive club and we demand results here. The fans demand the same and hopefully we can gel quickly and the young boys do what they’re good at.

“They attack and show what they’re made of and the gaffer gives a lot of freedom and opportunities to the young boys which is fantastic. They just need to take the chance with both hands and make the most of it."

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This article was originally published on the Hyundai A-League website.
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