FC Pune City will enter the field tomorrow with renewed vigour as their manager, Antonio Habas, will finally make his much-awaited return to the touchline after serving his four-match suspension.
He gave his first press conference as a Pune manager and spoke on a range of issues, including how he felt about being away from all the action for the first four games. Habas was also angry about the number of games that he was banned for and also gave his views on Pune's showing till now.
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Habas was critical of his ban and was disappointed on missing out on the action, “Though I am happy to be back on the touchline, almost 30% of the season is done already. You can compare my four-game ban as missing fourteen games in Premier League or La Liga. When one misses close to 30% of the season, you can say that the league's gone.”
Habas also provided Diego Simeone's example from last season, when the Argentinian manager received an 8 match ban for pushing a match official.
The FC Pune City manager was pleased to finally make his debut for Pune in the dugout and revealed that it was frustrating to watch the team from the stands and is itching to be on the touchline and give instructions to his men.
He also said that the players will be more comfortable with having him in the dugout rather than the assistant manager but also lauded assistant Miguel Martinez's efforts in Habas' absence.
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Pune are yet to win their first home game of this season, but Habas is confident his players will turn it around, “I have 100% confidence in my players and I am sure we can do the needful tomorrow against Chennaiyin. The players have shown great commitment and the quality of the Indian players are improving with every ISL season. We are growing as a team and the results will start in flowing in our way soon.”
The Stallions midfielders Lenny Rodrigues and Pitu are doubtful for tomorrow's game but will welcome back centre-back Eduardo Ferreira back into the team after he missed the draw against Kerala Blasters because of his sending off against North East United.
