BAMBOLIM: Ranko Popovic’s FC Pune City will have to put their best foot forward in order to stop high-flying FC Goa in the upcoming Hero Indian Super League (ISL) clash at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda on Saturday at 5.30 p.m.
There is a lot riding on this game for both sides. On one hand, a win for The Gaurs could see them open up a three-point lead at the top of the standings. While on the other hand, a victory for Pune here will enable the team to reach 12 points, thereby equalling three other joint-toppers currently shared by Chennaiyin, Bengaluru and Goa.
Skipper Laxmikant Kattimani put in a much-improved performance in the Gaurs’ previous encounter in Delhi and made a number of saves to keep his side in the game. He will continue in goal against Pune City.
Consistency in team selection has been the key for Sergio Lobera so far and he will be looking to field a similar team that took the field in Delhi. The central defensive partnership of Bruno Pinheiro and Ali Mohamed will most likely be given the nod ahead of Chinglensana Singh and Sergio Juste.
Seriton Fernandes has been a bright spark for the Goan side and he will start the game on the right side of the defence along with Narayan Das on the left.
FC Goa have won a number of battles in midfield and that is mainly down to the duo of Edu Bedia and Ahmed Jahouh who have dominated games for the Gaurs.
Jahouh has completed the most number of passes in the entire league and Edu’s forward bursts have provided the team with impetus.
Manuel Lanzarote is the creator in chief for Sergio Lobera and that is evident from his contribution to the side. He has scored five goals and provided three assists in five games, taking him to third on the Golden Boot standings. He will start in the attacking midfield position and will be flanked by the Goan duo of Mandar Rao Dessai and Brandon Fernandes who have also been instrumental in helping the team to the top of the standings. Top scorer Ferran ‘Coro’ Corominas picked up a knock in Delhi and it will be interesting to see whether he will get the nod up front ahead of Adrian Colunga who came on for the former Espanyol man and got on the scoresheet as well.
The Stallions will bring with them a well-balanced squad, full of attacking threat. Marcelinho topped the scoring charts in the last season with Delhi Dynamos FC but is yet to hit the ground running in this season, having scored just twice and providing three assists.
Uruguayan striker Emiliano Alfaro is a dangerous customer in front of goal and will be looking to get back to scoring goals after failing to hit the back of the net in his last three games. It promises to be an exciting encounter as both teams will receive a massive boost with victory.
