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Football in this part of the country has been on the back foot in recent times with two of their I-League teams, Pune FC and Bharat FC, ceasing operations. The presence of FC Pune City in the Indian Super League has renewed the image of this beautiful game here in this city. Come October, this city of the Deccan will hold very special. Besides festivals, football fever is set to grip the city as the followers embrace this beautiful game for the next two months.
“The team’s gelling well and the coach and the support staff has ensured top-notch fitness levels,” said the team’s marquee player Adrian Mutu, while adding that he was waiting for the games to begin. And their opener against Mumbai City FC promises to be a cliff-hanger.
For this Rajesh Wadhawan Group and Hrithik Roshan co-owned Indian Super League team FC Pune City pre-season training in the city, their warm-up matches and especially their conditioning camp at the Gloria Sports Arena in Antalya, Turkey has added to their pre-season preparations on a new high.
Squad
Pune City have retained five players – all Indians. Two goalkeepers in Arindam Bhattacharya and Lalit Thapa, the trusted defenders Dharmaraj Ravanan, a former Dempo player, and Lenny Rodrigues, the highest paid India player last year and Israil Gurung in the midfield were retained. Arindam has been a regular custodian for the side while the lanky Lenny Rodrigues has been the livewire in defence.
It was rather a poor report card for this side, with just four wins in the 14 outings last season. But, that is history. The new-look side with a star-studded line-up this year promise quality games of football. Like any other side, they are optimistic or cock-a-hoop about their campaign this year.
Foreign signings in the likes of former Chelsea star Adrian Mutu, the most capped player for Ivory Coast Didier Zokora, Turkish footballer Tuncay Sanli, England's Roger Johnson and promising Indian players like Eugeneson Lyngdoh and Jackichand Singh along with seasoned campaigner Lenny Rodrigues, the team can pose a real threat to the opposition.
Probable Starting XI: Arindham Bhattacharya; Pritam Kotal, Diego Colotto, Roger Johnson, Dharmaraj Ravanan; Didier Zokora, James Bailey, Eugeneson Lyngdoh; Tuncay Sanli, Jackichand Singh, Adrian Mutu
Coach
David Platt, a former assistant coach of Manchester City, is widely respected worldwide. It can be said that his vast experience at the club level will surely come handy for the Orange and Purple franchise. Known as a strategist, Platt, has over 60 England caps, besides representing Aston Villa, Arsenal, Juventus, Sampdoria, Bari, Nottingham Forest and Crewe Alexandra. And he knows exactly what it takes to unlock opposition formations and win games, and it is on all likelihood he would prefer the 4-3-3 formation.
This formation is better known as the one of the most attacking and exciting styles of play and has become popular each year. There are a variety of ways the triangular midfield can be deployed and subsequently a range of ways this formation should be defended against, particularly when opposing full-backs are given license to attack.
“Let us not going by the past, which is history, but these guys have the potential and I am sure they will give it back to the game and we should be a team to beat,” said Platt, the chief coach of the side.
Commenting on the season opener against Mumbai City FC in the Maha Derby, Platt, said, “The first game is always tough and when it's a derby, it will be a difficult game. But we have prepared well and ready for the challenge.
“We worked hard in the pre-season. The facilities were excellent. It was physically good. Both the international and domestic players have worked hard for the upcoming season. And now it's time for the boys to deliver on the field. The domestic players specially must step up and prove themselves in front of their home crowd,” he concluded.
Players to watch out for
Former Chelsea forward Adrian Mutu, their marquee player with a bag full of experience should be the silver lining to this star-studded squad. Pune City FC could be one of the contenders for the title in this second edition of the championship which kicks off from 3 October.
Seasoned campaigner Lenny Rodrigues with budding players like Eugeneson Lyngdoh on loan from I-league team Bengaluru FC, defenders Gouramangi Singh and Dharmaraj Ravanan and Israil Gurung in midfield will add the Indian touch of the game to the team.
Owners: Hrithik Roshan, Wadhawan Group, ACF Fiorentina, this team with a blend of youth and experience will go all out to prove owners pride.
Prediction
What keeps this side apart from many other in this league is the fact that this team compromises of players from north-east giving a clear indication that they are a team to beat. With this line-up, they could make the semi-finals of the competition.
