After a disappointing goalless derby draw, Melbourne Victory want to close out the year in style and send off Bruno Fornaroli with a win over 'original rivals' Adelaide United.
Victory shared the A-League Men spoils with Melbourne City last weekend, holding on to a point after their local rivals were denied a late would-be matchwinner from Jamie Maclaren.
Tony Popovic’s side host Adelaide at AAMI Park on Saturday as they look to close the gap on ladder-leaders Wellington Phoenix, who visit Sydney FC on Friday.
With newly recalled Socceroo Fornaroli off to the Asian Cup, Popovic will be forced to shuffle his pack for the visit of the Reds.
Victory will be without the ALM's top scorer for up to six games, depending on how Australia fare at the continental tournament in Qatar.
“We're comfortable with the options we have,” Popovic said of covering the loss of his 12-goal striker.
“Bruno will leave, we understand he's going for the amount of time he is and we feel we have a squad here and enough talent that can cover that space.
“They are different types of players to Bruno … the way we approach the front third will be a little bit different because the attributes will be different, but we believe we have the quality here.”
Fornaroli drew first blood in Victory's last meeting with the Reds, in round three, converting the hosts’ control in the opening half to score a 28th-minute opener.
But a foul by Roderick Miranda gifted Adelaide a goal of their own, with Hiroshi Ibusuki converting a Zach Clough free-kick in the 59th minute.
Both sides finished the spiteful affair with 10 men after Miranda, on 63 minutes, and Nestory Irankunda in the dying seconds of the clash, received second yellows.
Seven rounds on, Popovic’s charges have turned AAMI Park into a happy hunting ground.
Victory are unbeaten at home this season, and have kept a clean sheet in their last two games at the venue including last week's 'away' clash against City.
“We've got a very good record at home and we want to continue,” Popovic said.
“We want to bring back that good attacking play and combinations in and around the box that we've shown in the previous matches.
“Every game is big for Melbourne Victory and we understand that - everyone lifts against us, and we have to be able to handle that.
“But this game is a little bit more special ... you feel the rivalry amongst the supporters, you feel it on the pitch, you feel it on the sideline.
“We want to really play our part in adhering to all of that and add the three points that we didn't add in round three.”
Josh Cavallo returns for his first game for the Reds since February, having recovered from an achilles injury that required surgery.
Victory’s squad remains unchanged bar Adama Traore’s exclusion after the defender was subbed out of the Melbourne derby with a concussion.
