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In this new Indian Super League series, Sportskeeda looks at the strongest eleven on paper of each of the eight city franchises with formation. The rule of having a maximum of six foreigners and minimum five Indians in the lineup has been kept in mind. We start off by looking at FC Pune City.
Formation: 5-3-2
GK: Emanuele Belardi – The 36-year-old Italian was signed directly by the Pune franchise and is thus expected to get the start ahead of Arindam Bhattacharya and Lalit Thapa. The experience of the former Juventus keeper will be priceless and there can be no doubts about Belardi’s competitive edge as he was playing for Pescara in the Serie B last season.
CB: Dharmaraj Ravanan – The former Churchill Brothers defender is likely to play on the right side of the three-man central defence. Ravanan has been one of the most consistent Indians in recent years so his heavy price tag is justified. However the 27-year-old’s ultimate aim will be to excel in the ISL and get a call-up to the senior national team.
CB: Bruno Cirillo – The 37-year-old ex-Inter Milan man and former Euro U-21 winner is another direct signing of Pune and thus will be expected to be the leader of their defence. Cirillo’s aerial dominance could make him one of the imposing figures of the ISL and he will also have the responsibility of guiding the youngsters in the team.
CB: Daniele Magliocchetti – The left-footed defender was also signed directly by FC Pune City but could face competition from Colombian Andres Gonzalez for a starting berth. Magliocchetti’s CV is not as impressive as that of Belardi and Cirillo, but the former AS Roma youth product has the attributes to make an impression in the ISL.
RWB: Ashutosh Mehta – With Italian Franco Colomba likely to play a 5-3-2, young Ashutosh could benefit from it as he is ideal for a wing-back role. The 23-year-old is one of the most versatile and at the same underrated players in Indian football currently. A call-up to the senior team may not be inconceivable if he performs in the ISL.
LWB: SaIdou Panandetiguiri – The 30-year-old Burkina Faso defender is one of the few foreigners in the ISL who is still actively playing in international football. Saldou is highly versatile but his best role at FC Pune City could be as a left wingback because he is well capable of both defending and contributing while going forward.
CM: Manish Maithani – Despite having an indifferent season with Mohammedan Sporting last term, FC Pune City showed faith in Maithani’s potential and picked him in the sixth round of the domestic draft. The former Mohun Bagan player will be looking to repay by being consistent and must also add goals to his game.
CM: Lenny Rodrigues – The India international is Pune’s costliest domestic player and deservingly so as he has been of the best Indian players in the last three years. Lenny will be expected to control proceedings from the middle of the park and at the same time be one of the leaders so he has plenty to live up to.
CM: Omar Andrés Rodríguez – The Colombian is known to be a powerful box-to-box midfielder and being left-footed is perfectly suited to play on the left of the midfield three. Rodriguez is not among the high-profile foreigners of the league but has the qualities to be an important player for Pune and he would also be looking to get some goals.
FW: Joaquim Abranches – The East Bengal man can operate in a wide midfield role but to ensure the 6+5 balance in the team he might have to play upfront for FC Pune City. Finishing is not Joaquim’s strength so he will have to improve on that aspect in order to become a regular and he is bound to improve by playing alongside Trezeguet.
FW: David Trezeguet – Unlike many of the marquee foreigners, Trezeguet is not coming out of retirement as he played in the Argentina top tier last season. The Frenchman will have a big role off the pitch too but once the tournament starts, the former Juventus forward would be looking to bang in the goals and inspire FC Pune City to the title.
