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FC PUNE CITY HOST DELHI DYNAMOS
22 Nov 2017
The second match-week of Hero Indian Super League 2017-18 kicks off on Wednesday with a face-off between FC Pune City and Delhi Dynamos FC at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex  stadium in Pune. Three of the Lions’ integral players from last season, Marcelinho, Kean Lewis and Marcos Tebar, will all don the orange of Pune this season. Delhi lost most of their key players from the last edition ahead of the new season, but have managed to strike a balance with some key signings of their own. Head to Head: FC Pune City 1-3 Delhi Dynamos FC. 2 draws
KEY PLAYERS Marcelinho (FC Pune City) Hero ISL’s Golden Boot winner from last season will take to the field against his former club in the very first match of the new season. Marcelinho was at his prolific best last season, scoring and providing in abundance. Defenders find it difficult to keep pace with the talented Brazilian, who’ll want to emulate if not better his performances from last year in the upcoming season. Romeo Fernandes (Delhi Dynamos FC) Having played for FC Goa over the first three editions, Romeo Fernandes is set for a fresh challenge with the Dynamos in Hero ISL 2017-18. A pacey winger, the 25-year-old will offer the Lions quality from the flanks. He scored the 100th goal in Hero ISL history and possesses the quick feet and deft touches to bring up several other milestones this season. POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS FC Pune City The Stallions have one of the best attacks on paper and at home will want to give most of their key players an opportunity to shine in a 3-4-3 formation. Goalkeeper: Vishal Kaith Defenders: Adil Ahmed Khan, Rafael Lopez Gomes, Sarthak Golui Midfielders: Lalchhuanmawia Fanai, Jonatan Lucca, Marcos Tebar, Harpreet Singh Sahota Forwards: Kean Lewis, Marcelinho, Emiliano Alfaro Pune City FC head coach, Ranko Popovic, on his team’s plans:"We want to see how we will 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." Delhi Dynamos FC The Lions are likely to implement a 4-2-3-1 formation with target-man Kalu Uche up front. The supporting trio behind him may feature a combination of Romeo Fernandes, Jeroen Lumu and Seityasen Singh. Goalkeeper:  Albino Gomes Defenders: Sena Ralte, Gabriel Cichero, Pratik Chowdhary, Pritam Kotal Midfielders: Paulinho Dias, Matias Mirabaje, Romeo Fernandes, Jeroen Lumu, Seityasen Singh Forwards: Kalu Uche Delhi Dynamos’ head coach Miguel Angel Portugal, on the eve of the match: “It’s very difficult to win in Pune, but we’ll try to win and play well. Geneva For me the win is very important, but for the first match, the performance of my team is also important.” KEY STAT:
  • The Lions’ only defeat at the hands of FC Pune City came the last time these two sides met in Pune.
  • Delhi Dynamos scored 29 goals in Hero ISL 2016, the most by any team.
  • FC Pune City scored just 13 goals in Hero ISL 2016, lowest by any team.
LAST MEETING FC Pune City 4-3 Delhi Dynamos FC (18th November 2016 at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Pune)
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