Socceroos are not friends for ALM Melbourne derby

Aziz Behich has no plans of holding back against newly recalled Socceroos teammate Bruno Fornaroli when the pair face off in the A-League Men Christmas derby.

Melbourne Victory striker Fornaroli is absolutely fine with that – because he won’t be taking the kid gloves to City defender Behich either.

Behich insists Socceroos coach Graham Arnold hasn’t had a word to him about not kicking Fornaroli in Saturday night’s blockbuster at AAMI Park.

“Even if he did I probably wouldn’t listen,” Behich said with a laugh.

“Once I cross that white line, everything’s blocked out, you forget everything. It’s the competitive side of me.

“I haven’t had a chat to Arnie since, so it looks like it’s a free-for-all tomorrow night.”

Both Behich and former City captain Fornaroli have represented both teams in Melbourne, giving the game some extra bite.

“Obviously I started at Victory.  I think I was the first player to cross over to Heart at the time,” Behich said.

“So it’s a little bit more on the line for myself.

“But no, look, I put that aside, not let emotions get involved because we’re there for three points and three points only, it’s another football game.”

Melbourne Victory’s Bruno Fornaroli (centre) is in top form, having scored 12 goals in eight games. (Rob Prezioso/AAP PHOTOS)

Golden boot leader Fornaroli has 12 goals in eight games and has no plans of slowing down against Behich and co.

“I respect everyone and I think everyone knows this,” Fornaroli said.

“As soon as you start the game, you will fight for your team, you will fight for your club, for your friends.

“It’s a derby. It’s an important game for everyone. It’s a special game and it will be nice.

“I’m enjoying every minute that I play football now, and trust me I will enjoy tomorrow just as well, because it’s a massive game, it’s the game that you want to play.”

Victory coach Tony Popovic has a full squad to choose from ahead of a tantalising derby clash, in front of potentially a sellout crowd at AAMI Park.

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Saturday is also the first Christmas derby since last year’s infamous pitch invasion, which forced the game to be abandoned after just 21 minutes.

Both second-placed Victory and seventh-placed City, who are without Socceroo Mathew Leckie, have batted away questions about the abandoned derby.

“We haven’t mentioned it. I won’t mention it. There’s nothing to really say about that,” Popovic said.

“I think we acknowledge what happened. It’s been a year now, we’ve moved on and we really want the focus to be about (the occasion).

“It’s something the league should be proud of, this game that’s coming up. Let’s put on a great spectacle. Let’s fill the stands. Let’s show our product for what it is.

“And for us, let’s get Melbourne Victory three points.”