ISL 2016 Gameweek #1 – Stars and Flops

BANG! started the ISL

Flops

Florent Malouda

Malouda attempts to create something against Kerala. Attempts being the operative word

The French Marquee signing was surprisingly left out of Delhi's starting XI against Chennai, but his poor showing against Kerala showed that he is probably best suited for the role of an impact sub. It may hurt the ego of a man who was a regular for the French national team, and Chelsea, but Zambrotta cannot allow that to affect his judgement.

Kerala Blasters

The best fans in the league, the worst team in the league – that's common opinion; and it's pretty justified. They've had attendances of more than 65,000 in both their home games, but have barely had a shot on target. They look confused on the ball and clueless without it. It really is a toss up between them and Goa (another well-supported club) but Goa have had their moments, Kerala, on the other hand...

Zico

The Brazilian legend had decent enough outings the last two seasons, but he's started this one in reverse. The team lacks any sort of identity – much unlike Zico's style – and look porous in defence, fragile in the middle, and toothless up front. Steve Coppell has at least got his defence well drilled – and that saves him from the “flop” list this week – JUST.

Chennaiyin's Defence

I cannot imagine what must be going through Marco Materazzi's head right now. The Italian – part of some of the strongest defences in his prime – prides himself in his ability to organise a mean defence. In fact, it's what won the Chennai lads their title last time around. They started decently against Atletico de Kolkata, but perhaps conceding two goals should have been a warning. They were utter rubbish in their next outing – it was only Delhi's wasteful finishing that limited their goal tally to 3; it could easily have been 5 or 6.

Micheal Chopra's hair

Good luck getting that image out of your head. You’re welcome.

It looks like Pikachu threw up on his head. And that's the kindest description I can think of.

Mehtab Hossain

The holding midfielder has long been tipped for big things, but this season he has been desperately poor, and it hasn't helped that no one around him has performed as well. He's been invisible for large patches and has had little influence in defence or going forward.

Eidur Gudjohnsen

Poor old Eidur. He left before a ball was kicked aimlessly in the league, and it was a massive setback for fans and the team alike. Not really his fault, but he does make the 'flop' list.

Atletico de Kolkata's Home Crowd

I'm just going to let the numbers speak for themselves here. Last year Kolkata attracted crowds of nearly 43,000 on average. This year they have 10,000. Not what you would expect, and not what is required.

An honourable mention goes to Mumbai, who also moved to a new stadium and had a disappointingly low turn-out. As Guimarães said after his first home game - “The players need the arena to be full”

Laxmikant Kattimani

“Let me just pass it back to my centre back. OH! WAIT! YOU AREN’T MY CENTRE BACK – AAARGH”

Oh! Kattimani! It's never easy being a goalkeeper. It's even harder when you don't see an opposition striker in your path... two metres ahead of you. His infamous error made the ISL a truly global phenomenon with the video of him doing a Ter Stegen going viral. It is of course, human to err (and Kattimani had a good comeback in his subsequent game) – but it's equally human to laugh at such ridiculous errors.

Florent MaloudaEasily the 'flop' highlight of the week

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