The first match between the two leading sides in the Indian Super League ended in a hard fought 1-1 draw. Both FC Pune City and Chennaiyin FC are doing reasonably well so far in the ISL, Chennaiyin are just behind league leaders Atletico de Kolkata at second, while Pune City are at the fourth spot, just behind Kerala Blasters, but have one crucial game still in hand.
Both FC Pune City and Chennaiyin FC are coming off draws in their previous games against NorthEast United FC and Atletico de Kolkata respectively, and will be looking forward to win this crucial encounter as both sides are vying for the top slot.
On current form, Chennaiyin look better placed than FC Pune City, as they play at home and will be bolstered by the home support, while the Pune team only have had two draws in succession in their most recent matches. Chennaiyin, of course, have the super star of the Indian Super League, the Brazilian master attacking midfielder, Elano Blumer.
Pune City have been no mugs in the attacking department, with striker Dudu Omagbeni having been brilliant up front, and the primary factor behind Pune’s superlative performance so far in the ISL. Plus, Pune City have the Greek international star, Kostas Katsouranis, who was an important part of the Greek team which played the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. His presence in the Pune City team not only adds to their quality, but is in fact a validation of Indian Super League. It’s great to have such a world class talent playing in India.
Katsouranis gets great support from Lenny Rodrigues and Israil Gurung in the midfield. The Pune City side have been further bolstered by the addition of the former English Premier League star, Jermaine Pennant and Hungarian international Krisztian Vadocz. So, while Chennaiyin have a superb strike force, FC Pune City have a formidable midfield, perhaps the best in the competition.
Here’s what the Chennaiyin FC player-manager Marco Materazzi has had to say about this match:
On the last four matches played by his team being drawn:
“It’s not ideal, but this happens in football. In a couple of those games, we should have won all three points but there was one game where we scored late to earn a point. There is no point looking back now. We have six more finals in the league stage starting tomorrow.”
About the pressure of playing at home:
“Pressure is part of life, so we are not bothered by it. We will try to play our best and get maximum points”.
Whether he was disappointed by the missed chances in the last match against FC Pune City?
“Yes, we missed a lot of chances, but the good thing was, we created plenty. Hopefully our conversion rate will be better in this match.”
On Elano being the most marked played in the Indian Super League:
“I think that’s very normal. Elano has already played eight games, and despite the tactics and strategies of other teams, he has still managed to score. I am not worried about it.”
The Teams
Chennaiyin FC: Gennaro Bracigliano, Gouramangi Singh, Bernard Mendy, Mikael Silvestre, Dhanachandra Singh, Eric Djemba Djemba, Denson Devadas, Harmanjot Khabra, Elano Blumer, John Stiven Mendoza, Balwant Singh
FC Pune City: Arindam Bhattacharya, Pritam Kotal, Bruno Cirillo, Daniele Magliocchetti, Dharmaraj Ravanan, Lenny Rodrigues, Kostas Katsouranis, Davide Colomba, Israil Gurung, Jermaine Pennant, Dudu
Our Prediction: Chennayin FC 3 FC Pune City 1
We expect Elano to be too hot to handle for FC Pune City, and he might be the “X Factor” that gets Chennaiyin FC just ahead, which should be enough to top the Indian Super League.
Watch the match live on Star Sports at 6:50 PM this Wednesday evening.
