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Delhi Dynamos' and Chennaiyin's winless streak in the Hero Indian Super League 2018-19 season continues as both the sides struggle to find the back of the net in a game which cried out for someone to inspire from the front.
John Gregory will be content with the much-improved performance to keep the points board up and running for the first time this season.
Despite dominating throughout the game, the failure to take numerous chances in front of goal has forced the Blues to wait long for the first victory of this campaign.
The Chennaiyin coach will be utterly disappointed with this particular aspect. On the other hand, Josep Gombau will be considering himself lucky to secure a point following a dismal outing from the hosts.
The blues shot-stopper Karanjit Singh was tested only once throughout the game which he parried away to safety to gain the first clean sheet of the season.
From this 0-0 draw, we shall look at the five talking points from this game.
#1 Lack of cutting edge from Chennaiyin FC
Chennaiyin FC made one change to the forward line. The English manager started with Thoi Singh and Isaac through the either of the flanks, and the Spanish Orlandi came in for Mailson Alves, who operated behind the striker Carlos Salom.
This enabled Raphael Augusto playing in a more defensive role in the middle of the park.
The striker Carlos Salom had a gilt-edged chance in the 69th minute, but that shot was comfortably saved by the Delhi Dynamos shot-stopper Francisco Dorronsoro who looked commendable to win the One-vs-One battle.
Francisco Fernandes had a great chance to give visitors the lead during the first half, but he completely missed the ball which should've struck the back of the net.
Andrea Orlandi, who started the full game for the first time this campaign had another chance to open the scoresheet, but another poor finishing from close range made it impossible for the visitors to hit the ball on target and test the goalkeeper.
John Gregory was a frustrated figure after the first game where his side should've won the game. Instead, they had to settle for a point. He would be hoping for clinical nature from his strikers in the forthcoming games.
#2 Dorronsoro's stellar performance
Francisco Dorronsoro looked unbeatable between the sticks for Delhi Dynamos, and he was rightfully awarded the Hero of the game.
If there is one name Josep Gombau will be proud of today, it would be the goalkeeper who put an immense performance to gain a point for the Dynamos.
The Spanish international had to work very hard to secure his first clean sheet of the season. The 33-year-old made an exceptional save from Andrea Orlandi which would have hit the back of the net on numerous occasions.
He made a crucial save when Carlos Salom was all alone in a One-vs-One situation. Additionally, during the dying stages of the game, Nelson fired a shot from outside the box just to witness the goalkeeper flying out to save it.
The opponents had the aerial presence of Carlos Salom, Eli Sabia, Inigo Calderon and Andrea Orlandi who could prove threatening from set pieces. But, Dorronsoro looked assured to collect the ball in the air and cut down the pressure.
#3 Much improved performance from Augusto
Raphael Augusto put in three consecutive poor performances on a bounce, but the Brazilian looked really sharp and was the best player on the pitch for the Blues tonight.
He put in a swift by running all over the pitch to work both defensively and did well in attacking parts of the game as well.
Anirudh Thapa was the midfielder who looked high up the pitch to help the interlink between the midfield and attack department.
Augusto eased Thapa and provided him further freedom to win back the ball high up the pitch. He contributed in the attacking part of the game during the second half when the Brazilian launched a piledriver from outside of the penalty box.
The Delhi shot-stopper reached out his hand and prevented it from the ball hitting the back of the net.
The Chennaiyin FC midfielder clearly won the battle in the middle of the park and kept the likes of Bikramjit Singh and Zuiverloon quiet throughout the game. John Gregory would be demanding the same performance in the upcoming games from this midfielder.
#4 Delhi's midfield overrun
Andrea Orlandi and Anirudh Thapa kept pressing high up the pitch to cause havoc to the midfielders and defenders of Delhi Dynamos FC.
Bikramjit Singh, Zuiverloon and Rene Mihelic were second best throughout the game. They lack imagination going up front and did not look assured defensively.
Whenever the Delhi Dynamos midfielders were shut down, they looked bleak with their passing and handed the ball to the opponents on multiple occasions.
Their off the ball movements did not look great and looked rattled by the Chennaiyin midfielders who will consider themselves unlucky to not get secure all three points. The pressing looked effective even after Vinit Rai came off the bench to replace Mihelic.
Wingers Isaac Vanmalsawma and Thoi Singh were receiving through balls with such ease from the midfielders. Andrea Orlandi and Carlos Salom failed to capitalize with the mistakes of the midfielders on numerous instances and were unsuccessful in convert those chances.
Josep Gombau will be hoping for a good performance when Delhi take up the field against Mumbai City on Saturday.
#5 Compact defending from Chennaiyin FC's centre-backs
John Gregory has changed his centre-back options tonight. Inigo Calderon and Mailson Alves started as the defenders tonight and looked calm and assertive to get things done effectively. Francisco Fernandes and Jerry Lalrinzuala kept their places through the flanks.
The Blues have conceded eight goals in 143 minutes when Mailson Alves was at the back. Without the Blues skipper, John Gregory's side is yet to leak a goal this campaign.
There are times when the Brazilian looked exposed because of the inexperience showed by the right full-back, Francisco Fernandes. However, Inigo Calderon dealt with situations very well to keep the opponent attackers at bay.
Eli Sabia has been the standout player in the defense for the Blues this season. If Inigo keeps his place in the central defense, the right-back conundrum will be a real headache for John Gregory as the season progresses. The English manager has huge decisions to make in the forthcoming games.
