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What's the Story?
FC Pune City coach Ranko Popovic lashed out at winger Kean Lewis as his side lost to ISL table toppers Bengaluru FC. In his brutal criticism of the player, Popovic went on to say that Lewis did not have an impact on the game when he replaced Emiliano Alfaro in the second half.
Popovic also attributed Baljit Sahni's red card as a turning point in the game. Taking no credit away from Bengaluru FC though, he went on to say, “I want to congratulate Bengaluru for the win. This (referee errors) had nothing to do with them and they played well.”
In case you didn't know
Ranko Popovic's side went down to the fourth spot, tied on 9 points with FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC, but are behind on goal difference. This game against Bengaluru FC was the second game in a row in which FC Pune City played with 10 men, and discipline is clearly something that Popovic will be looking to address.
Heart of the Matter
While the coach rued referring errors and the red card as reasons why his team ended up on the losing side, he also singled out winger Kean Lewis, who came on in the second half, to replace Alfaro.
Popovic gave the player a harsh treatment, stating that he did nothing for the team. He went on to say that FC Pune City are losing as a team but Lewis has to think and to do more.
"Alfaro has been playing through a problem for the past three or four games and that’s why I had to take him off. When you are losing as a team, you have to do everything to help out the team and Kean did not do that. That is why I had to change,” replied Popovic, who clearly was very unhappy with how the attacker performed.
What's next?
It remains to be seen when Popovic next decides to play Lewis. FC Pune City's next game is on 23rd December against FC Goa who sit at the second position on the table right now.
Author's Opinion
Still fairly early in the season, each team has only played 4 games so far. Popovic should not judge a player on one game's performance especially when he didn't even start the match and came on in the second half. With a long season and some crucial fixtures coming up, FC Pune City need to strategise and come back stronger.
