Delhi Dynamos have found their moorings. Having started the season with a motivating win against Chennaiyin FC, thanks to a penalty conversion by Chicao, the team, marshalled by Roberto Carlos, have begun to dominate and look to attain their potential in the Hero Indian Super League Season 2.
Atletico de Kolkata, champion of the first season, are Dynamos’ upcoming obstacle at the Nehru Stadium here. Carlos’ boys have not yet encountered a defeat on home turf and should be looking to preserve the reputation in a crucial encounter. Four wins and two losses speak well for Dynamos’ preparation and the pre-season claims of the owners to travel the distance and lay siege on the crown.
Dynamos boast of depth in their ranks with defence being the forte. For Kolkata, the urge to score also means baring their guard to frequent strikes by the opposition. Kolkata have won four and lost four. The emphasis is on attacking on either flank. On the other hand Dynamos are calculated in their approach with much revolving around the packed midfield.
Robin Singh, the Dynamos striker of repute, will assist the home team and look to form a lethal alliance with Adil Nadi upfront. As Carlos observed, “I don’t play defensive game but sometimes you have to have men in position for the counter attack. We are very eager to win.”
Florent Malouda could be the key for Dynamos in the midfield even though it has been a gruelling schedule for him. “It’s normal for me to play every three days. I prefer playing games and the conditions are now better to perform,” said Malouda.
Football can be beautiful and exciting when the teams abandon caution and go for the jugular. There is much to expect from the tactical acumen that marks Dynamos’ game, not to brush aside the Kolkata team’s inclination to explore even at the cost of hurting their chances. Dynamos’ ability to tighten the openings and Kolkata’s penchant to drill the opposition has the promise to make this the clash of the season thus far.
As Kolkata coach Antonia Lopez Habas assessed his team, “One day you play well and one day you don’t. Different days, different pitch, different oppositions. We work to get the best result.” Habas also ruled out Helder Postiga from Saturday’s contest.
There is little to separate Dynamos, Kolkata, FC Pune City, FC Goa and North East United FC at this stage with 20 matches more to go before the knockout teams are identified. The race and pace is bound to intensify with the fans set to make the most of the fare.
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