FC Pune City looking to start the new season on a winning note

FC Pune City get their Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 campaign underway by hosting Delhi Dynamos FC at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium in Pune on Wednesday. 

The home team have never qualified for the semi-finals and will hope to start the new season on a winning note. While addressing the media at the pre-match press conference, Pune head coach Ranko Popovic explained how his side had prepared for the long season ahead.

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“We have had a long preparation, especially for the players who have had a long break. They have had too much time without football and I want to see how we function after a long break. I think we are good, we are okay, and the preparation time was good. 

The players are excited, but after a long break, everyone is a little bit more careful for the first match and this is normal. I hope we will be at a level which we want to be at,” the Serbian said.

Pune emerged victorious the last time they hosted Delhi. 

Popovic, however, doesn’t believe that the Stallions will be at an advantage just because they are playing in Pune. “Look, I don’t see (playing at home) as an advantage, because if you want to achieve something, then you have to play (well) home and away,” he explained. “Three points at home and away are the same. Of course, we will have more support at home and this can maybe make the difference. They (the fans) can push us and give us more energy to get three points. But as a coach, I try to make my team play the same kind of football, whether it’s home or away.”

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Popovic also insisted that all the players in his squad are equally important irrespective of their nationality. “Look, for me all our players are local players because we play in the Indian league so whoever will be in the best condition for the match, he will play. All the players (foreign or domestic)… are FC Pune City players and this is the unique thing for us.”

Marcelinho is one of the foreign recruits who has switched allegiances from Delhi to Pune ahead of the new season. Popovic though urged all his players to contribute and support Marcelinho instead of solely relying on the Brazilian. “I am happy to have Marcelinho as well as other foreign players, and our players from India. It is good to have competition in the team. If you have more competition, you will receive more quality on the pitch. And this is what we want to do. 

Is it possible for Marcelinho to take the lead for every game? No! He needs support, Muhammad (Ashique Kuruniyan) needs support, Isaac (Vanmalsawma Chhakchhuak) also needs support, and everyone needs support. And that’s why the balance will be important. I don’t like to talk about one or two players,” he said.
Courtesy - http://www.indiansuperleague.com