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Despite a slow start to their campaign in the Indian Super League (ISL) Season 2, the Delhi Dynamos look much more prepared and settled this season. Here we tell you why.
#1 Roberto Carlos as coach and mentor
The signing of player-manager Roberto Carlos as the marquee player for ISL season 2 can be key in the Dynamos setup this season. Carlos brings with itself top-level coaching experience from his reasonably successful managerial stints at Anzhi Makhachkala in Russia and Sivasspor and Akhisar Belediyespor in the Turkish Superlig. Along with top level coaching experience, Carlos, as a multiple La Liga and European Cup winner from his stint at Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid, will provide valuable experience to the youngsters in the squad. The Indian players would surely look up to him as a mentor and role-model.
#2 Presence of experienced campaigners
After a bittersweet experience with Alessandro Del Piero last season, the Dynamos have roped in Florent Malouda and John Arne Riise this season, 2 highly experienced campaigners in their own right. Despite the setback in the first match, they are expected to form the backbone of the Dynamos this season, with their experience and knowhow. Manager Roberto Carlos would be relying on these two to be the difference-makers this season, and he would be hoping that both of them remain injury-free and available to him for the whole season.
#3 Improved strike-force
Dynamos managed a modest 16 goals in 14 games last term, and deservedly finished outside the semi-final berths. They have tried to rectify this weakness by retaining Gustavo Dos Santos, their top-scorer last season with 5 goals, and securing the loan signing of promising 21-year old West Bromwich Albion forward Adil Nabi this season. With Indian striker Robin Singh for company (away on national duty for the first game), the attacking setup of the Dynamos looks promising this season.
#4 Home comforts
That the Delhi Dynamos had a poor home record last season was no surprise. The Dynamos had one of the lowest average attendances in the ISL (only about 15,000 people attended the home games on average), despite having one of the biggest stadiums available amongst the teams, with a capacity of more than 60,000. Backed by a timid crowd, the Dynamos were unable to press their home advantage into results. With the ISL much more settled as a league now, the attendances are expected to increase substantially, starting with the Dynamos’ first home game vs Chennaiyin FC on the 8th of October.
#5 A settled squad
Last season saw most players in the squad playing together for the first time and thus taking time to click with one another, which was a possible reason for the Dynamos’ slow start. The Dynamos’ management identified this problem and retained a major part of the squad from last season, including players like Anwar Ali, Francis Fernandes and Souvik Chakraborty. With some international stars added, the Dynamos unit looks much more settled this season.
