New Delhi: Hosts Delhi Dynamos will be keen to break the sequence of draws when they take on FC Pune City in Match 41 of the Indian Super League (ISL) on Thursday.
Led by legendary Brazilian Roberto Carlos, Delhi might be unbeaten at home, but they are winless in their last three encounters, which put any side under pressure. Delhi played out their third straight draw at home against Atletico de Kolkata after similar results against NorthEast United FC and Mumbai City FC.
When the two teams met earlier this season in Pune, the Dynamos, who are at fourth place in the points table, eked out a thrilling 2-1 victory in their away game at the Balewadi Sports Complex.
With the tournament entering a crucial phase, the hosts will have to be sharper in front of the goal as they have scored just eight goals, the least in the tournament so far. League leaders FC Goa have 20 goals to their credit while even Chennaiyin FC, placed at the bottom of the table, have 11.
Carlos too acknowledged that they have not scored enough.
"The goals will come at the right time. I would have been more worried if we were not performing at all. We have to get on the pitch against FC Pune City to win the game. My team is doing the best to win," Carlos said ahead of the match.
Interestingly, Delhi have also conceded the least number of goals as their defenders have kept it extremely tight at the back.
It will be interesting to see if Dynamos' marquee manager cum player Carlos includes Richard Gadze, who has scored in the last three matches, in the starting line-up or continue with his strategy to bring the Ghanian on as a second-half substitute.
The midfield will be marshaled by French maestro Florent Malouda. The former France international has led the midfield well, but he and his teammates would love to see him find the back of the net.
Malouda will have Hans Mulder for company in midfield, with men like Gustavo dos Santos and Seminlen Doungel controlling the wings.
India international Robin Singh and England-based Adil Nabi will shoulder the attacking responsibility.
Dynamos' defence has been one of the best in the league with men like Anas Edathodika, Anwar Ali, John Arne Riise and Naobo Singh making it hard for the opposition to go past them. Goalkeeper Antonio Doblas Santana has done a decent job at the post.
On the other hand, Pune who are placed third on the table, would look to exact revenge against Delhi after losing their previous encounter.
FC Pune City, who also have 15 points in their bag, are one place above Delhi with a better goal difference.
Pune have not won any of their four matches played away from home, drawing two and losing the other two games. They play three of their last four matches away but coach David Platt remained confident that they can get the necessary points that will help them qualify for the semi-finals.
“Delhi may not have scored a lot of goals but they have won considerable points. Their defensive record is better than the other teams and they are difficult to break down. They are very settled team, not too much of rotation,” Platt said.
“I don’t think playing away is a huge factor how we perform. I don’t look at it as a concern, these four games. I just look at it as another game against another opposition. We can win matches between now and the end of the season, so there is no concern. Every single club has been through a patch where they faced problems. Ourselves and Delhi, since the start of the season, have been in the top four. That’s our immediate target,” Platt added.
Platt could contemplate playing both Tuncay Sanli and Adrian Mutu upfront with skipper Didier Zokora tasked with leading the midfield.
Defensive midfielder Lenny Rodrigues has also been an important player for Pune, impressing with his tackles and interceptions.
Both teams will be aware of the importance of Thursday's match as a win can cement them in the top three.
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