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Chennaiyin registered a 1-0 win over FC Pune City in Sunday's first ISL league match. The visitors rarely tested Pune's goal but when they did, it proved to be deadly. Being the home side, Pune did not display the usual ambition and urgency that one would associate with them. Here are the major talking points from the game:
#1 Both sides cancel each other out in first half
Post their convincing 3-0 win over NorthEast United, Chennaiyin were expected to take the game to Pune. However what transpired was an anticlimax. Both sides stuttered through the first half and rarely created any kind of clear-cut openings.
It was more of a chess game as both teams waited for the other to make a mistake. However, Pune were intent on not conceding and as a result did not commit too many men forward. The visitors too were content with proceedings and refused to take too many risks. The first half was largely played in the middle of the park and extremely cagey.
#2 Will the real Jeje please stand up?
Chennai coach, John Gregory made an instant impact in his first major press conference by labelling Jeje as the Indian Alan Shearer. The manager marvelled at his forward's ability to find openings that others failed to spot.
However, Chennai's star striker had a torrid time tonight. Jeje tried everything. At times he even attempted to slug it out inside the box. At others, he chose to fall back deep and build up play on his own. But he failed to trouble Pune's defenders. In his attempt to get on the score sheet, he looked out of sync and was erratic in his off the ball movements. For Chennai to succeed this season, they need Jeje to be at his very best and tonight, he was far from it.
#3 Pune's midfield once again pedestrian in their approach
With four goals to his name, Alfaro is just one away from being Pune's joint highest scorer and he's just four games in. It speaks volumes about the fact that Pune have the potential and the ammunition to go all the way this season.
As the season goes deeper, other players apart from Marcelinho and Alfaro will be expected to step up and make their job easier.
But tonight, Pune's midfield once again were mediocre and consistently wayward in their passing. The likes of Marcos Tebar, Adil Khan and Diego Carlos were slow off the blocks and did not display urgency whenever Pune ventured forward. It meant the likes of Kean Lewis rarely got the opportunity to strut their stuff. Pune have relied more on their individual brilliance up front rather than their midfield but there ought to be a balance.
#4 When Raphael Augusto struggles, Chennai struggle
A large part of Chennai's fluidity is down to a certain Brazilian who pulls the strings from the middle of the park. In Raphael Augusto, Chennaiyin have, arguably, the best midfielder in the league.
Augusto is versatile and creative, basically everything you need in a midfielder. Playing away from home, it was expected that Marina Machans would never really dominate proceedings. However, the visitors struggled more than usual and it was primarily down to Raphael's inability to impose himself on the game.
Pune crowded him out and eventually, it was a set piece that helped Chennaiyin in their victory. Chances from open play were few and far between. Augusto rarely got the opportunity to run with the ball.
#5 Jerry Lalrinzuala holds his own
Jerry was a force to be reckoned with on the left
Just 19 years old, Chennaiyin's left back, Jerry Lalrinzuala played the game like a veteran. He was solid at the back and whipped in some extremely dangerous cross from the left wing. He rarely gave away the ball and kept Pune's midfielders and defenders guessing all night long.
Up against Alfaro, Marcelinho and Kean Lewis, the young Jerry held his own and did not let the opposition run ragged. He was extremely disciplined and tonight, showed why he is a force to be reckoned with. He may not be the biggest defender out there, but he makes it a point to give it his all on the pitch.
