Salford City forward Fabio Borini said that he “just wants to play football” after he marked his 400th club appearance with a crucial goal against Walsall.
The former Liverpool, Sunderland and AC Milan attacker stepped off the bench to score the only goal as Salford battled to a hard-fought 1-0 win in tough conditions at the Peninsula Stadium.
Borini, who was introduced midway through the second half and struck 16 minutes from time to secure Salford’s second successive League Two win, said that his goal was the “cherry on top” on a proud night where he reached the milestone.
After the match, Borini explained that he felt no different than any other game he had scored in when the ball hit the back of the net.
“It is just what I have done all through the years, it doesn’t matter who you score for. When you’re a striker, it is always good to score.
“We play to score goals. We like the hype of scoring goals. We want to play to do that.
“Especially if it’s coming on the back of a hard moment and gives a win to the team, it’s critical.”
“Borini, surely!!!” 🎙️
The match-winning strike from Fabio Borini on his 400th career appearance 🎯 pic.twitter.com/gaRzT9U7Ch
— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) March 11, 2026
Salford City’s pitch has been the subject of criticism from several League Two managers this season and Borini felt it forced both sides to play an attritional brand of football.
“With this pitch, it’s a bit difficult to play. It was tough, but we didn’t let them have too many chances. They didn’t create any.
“We stuck to it and we brought it home somehow. It’s hard for you to adapt to a pitch like this because it’s not the easiest? It’s an adaptation, which I’ve already done. It’s not a problem.
“I’ve played in pitches like this before. It’s not a problem. Football is football.
“You try and find what you’re best at in little moments. Obviously, the more moments, the more minutes I get, the more chances I get. And the more chances the team has to win, so hopefully.”
Asked the difference between playing in England’s fourth tier in driving rain and in front of less than 3,000 fans inside a bitterly cold Peninsula Stadium and playing for some of the world’s most successful clubs, Borini said:
“Once you get on the pitch, everything is the same. You do it to score goals, to play and to win games. Obviously, if you play in the Champions League night, it’s different.
“I’m always hungry for more and angry if I don’t play.”
Borini has averaged less than 21 minutes of playing time across his 17 appearances in League Two for Salford this season.
The 34-year-old revealed he has urged Robinson to give him more time on the pitch as The Ammies push for promotion to League One.
He added: “We (Borini and Robinson) had loads of chat and, obviously, I always want more minutes and more minutes.
“I’m an ambitious guy. I came here to help the club get promoted and win as many games as possible.
“Obviously, every single player thinks that with themselves on the pitch, there are more chances to win. Simple as.
“If I did not enjoy playing, I wouldn’t be here and I would be with my feet on the sofa watching the Champions League at home.”
