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FC Pune City will be hoping to continue their winning momentum as they welcome Chennaiyin FC to the Balewadi Sports Complex tomorrow in the first of the two games scheduled for a super Sunday. Both these sides are coming into this game on the backs of soothing wins with Pune managing a comeback victory from a goal down against Mumbai City FC while Chennaiyin FC opened their account with a 3-0 thrashing of NorthEast United FC.
The Stallions have a chance of going to the top of the table tomorrow evening with a win or a draw against the Super Machans. But that is easier said than done as FC Pune City have always found it tough against the side from Tamil Nadu in the ISL history. Surprisingly, Pune are yet to win a game against Chennaiyin FC in 6 attempts with four losses and two draws being the head to head statistic between these two sides.
Ranko Popovic is aware of this and is keen on changing this record. "We have got one more reason to be extra motivated for tomorrow's game. The two home games have been decent so far as me and the players are working every minute to make our passionate supporters happy," exclaimed a confident Stallions boss.
The Serbian also revealed that his side is not looking at the standings at the moment and are focusing on the task one game at a time. This is Pune's fourth game in 11 days and a squad rotation is expected to happen tomorrow. Popovic revealed that 2-3 players of his side are doubtful for tomorrow's game with a final decision set to be taken on them in the morning.
Popovic also praised his opponents, Chennaiyin FC and called them one of the strongest sides in the competition. The coach is of the view that Chennaiyin FC are a physical side and that the Stallions will need to have a solid plan to continue their winning juggernaut. Meanwhile, John Gregory, the Super Machans manager, also had some kind words for Pune and called the duo of Marcelinho and Emiliano Alfaro as dangerous.
Chennaiyin FC have impressed with their attacking style in this season but it has been the clean sheet against NorthEast United which impressed Gregory the most. He reflected, "Yes, we are scoring goals. But the pleasing aspect of the last game was a clean sheet. I was happy with my defence and for tomorrow's game, we need to be at the same level to keep Pune quiet."
Jeje Lalpekhlua, Chennaiyin FC's star Indian attraction has failed to light up the ISL so far but Gregory is confident of a good show from the forward. The Englishman revealed that Jeje has been playing a lot for the past few months and has had not a rest period since April. Gregory also praised the impact Raphael Augusto has created so far for his side playing in a number 10 position and scoring a well-deserved brace against the Highlanders. It was not only Augusto who received a mention from the manager.
On the young Indian players at his disposal, Gregory was quipped saying, "I have inherited a talented Indian squad. Two youngsters have made their debuts under me this season. We have some exciting players coming up from our grassroots program. I believe that we are not long from a day where an ISL team will field a playing eleven comprising only Indian players."
