Florent Malouda scored two on the night as Delhi Dynamos thrashed Chennaiyin FC 4-1 to move to the top of the Indian Super League points table. The capital side were dominant throughout the match and showed their class with some persistent pressing and were ruthless in the final third.
Here are five major talking points from the match.
#1 Magical Malouda plays ringmaster
Florent Malouda had a sublime night as he scored two and set up two more goals. He was always keen to get on the ball and fed his fellow teammates throughout the match. The former Chelsea man was one step ahead of most of the players on the pitch.
Having plied his trade for some of Europe’s heavyweights, the Frenchman showed his class with some incredible touches and played an instrumental role in all of Delhi’s goals. Malouda was selfless in his approach as he held the ball well and waited for gaps to appear in Chennai’s defence before playing some penetrating passes. He capped off a magical night by scoring the fourth in typical poacher’s fashion.
#2 Incessant pressing from Delhi
Up and down, Richard Gadze led from the front. The Ghanaian was all over the pitch chasing every ball within and outside his reach. Delhi’s players harried their opposition into making mistakes and conceding possession in the final third of the pitch.
It proved crucial as the visitors struggled to string a chain of passes. Delhi hustled for every loose ball and never let Chennai’s players settle even for one moment. It was an intriguing sight to watch as Zambrotta’s men hunted down the visitors, not giving them an inch to play around from the back.
They never let the foot off the gas, as they continued with their incessant pressing even in the final minutes of the match, sending across a strong message to the other teams in the league.
#3 Bernard Mendy’s wonderful solo goal
The former PSG centre-back made a crucial interception in his own half to win the ball and carried it forward with only one thing in mind. He must have travelled around 70 yards with the ball and eventually let loose with his right foot. Delhi’s defenders kept dropping back as the Frenchman marauded forward with intent and confidence.
Mendy kept the ball close to his feet throughout the run as none of Delhi’s players attempted to close him down. He made the most of it by making a slow but hazy run right into the heart of Delhi’s defence and scored, leaving the home side stunned for a good ten minutes. Unfortunately for Chennai, they couldn’t build on from that goal.
#4 Raphael Augusto continues to shine for Chennai
On a night when coach Marco Materazzi made five changes to his side, one man was always going to start. Raphael Augusto was the only shining star for Chennai in a game in which Delhi truly imposed themselves on the pitch. The Brazilian was calm and composed on the ball and unlike his teammates, didn’t panic when pressed and wriggled out of tight situations with ease.
Part of his success in midfield was down to his ability to shield the ball, as he put his wide torso to good use. The ambidextrous Brazilian displayed quick feet and passed the ball in a fluid and precise manner. He was guilty at times of holding the ball for far too long but apart from that, he looked mighty confident.
#5 Delhi literally leading from the front
“Except Delhi, all the other teams are winning by close margins like 1-0 or 2-1. Only one team is playing well and scoring. I think that all the teams have the same problem of scoring”. FC Pune City coach, Antonio Habas hit the nail on the head, citing the capital side as the only team who continue to find joy in the final third of the pitch.
After scoring four on the night, Zambrotta’s men have now scored sixteen goals in their nine matches- seven more than any other team in the league. The quartet of Malouda, Gatze, Marcelinho and Kean Lewis are getting better at their combination plays as each game passes.
Going forward, it’s tough to see if any team can match the capital side when it comes to scoring goals and creating chances.
