languishing at ninth spot, Delhi Dynamos' start in the fourth edition of the Indian Super league is in tatters and the low turn-out at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here —7,000-odd crowd came for the last match - does not help their cause much either.
But propelled with near-perfect full squad (which includes vital players in Matias Mirabaje and Sena Ralte), the Kalu Uche-led side seemed confident to get back into the scheme of things at their home ground when they take on in-form FC Goa on Saturday here.
"We are second from the bottom but I believe so much in this team. We have managed to keep a lot of possession in our past matches but failed to reflect that on the scoring sheet," said Uche. "It has been one of those times in football when you expect things and they don't happen but that doesn't mean we are playing bad football."
Talking on the same line, Dynamos' assistant coach Shakti Chauhan added: "I must tell you, we have a very good team and are eager to prove their worth. So tomorrow you will see a better team, playing with a lot of purpose. And goals will come."
As a matter of fact, goals are need of the hour as the national capital side has scored just once in their past three games (a penalty goal by their captain Kalu Uche) and the previous goal from open play last came 305 minutes back from their first game against FC Pune City — which was also their solitary win of the season so far.
Being clinical is even more vital on Saturday as they take on a Goan outfit, which is on a rampant goal scoring run. Thirteen goals from just four games, the Sergio lobera-coached side won their last game in a marauding fashion by decimating Dimitar Berbatov's Kerala Blasters 5-2. The onslaught has been led by two Spanish players in Gaur's attack — Ferran Corominas and Manuel lanzarote; the duo has so far scored 11 goals among them, Corominas spearheading with 7 goals. The coach made his intentions clear as he wants to score atleast one more goal than their opponents.
"We have scored 13 goals in the league so far. And that has to stand for something," said lobera. "We did concede goals because of the way we play but what matters is that goals win you matches. That's what we have been doing so far. We lost one game and that's because we scored less (against Mumbai City FC 2-1), so it's all about scoring more goals on the day." He further added: "If you ask me, I want to win 1-0 or 5-2IJ I will always say 5-2."
Attacking football on the cards
Spanish managers are often known for their obsession with getting hold of the ball and keeping it under their feet throughout the match. The same goes for managers of both the clubs at loggerhead on Saturday.
Miguel Angel Portugal's side and lobera's team have both enjoyed more than 60 per cent possession in the majority of the matches and that spice things up for the clash as both teams are expected to play an attacking brand of football.
"Both teams do have similarities as we have the same philosophy of football," said the FC Goa coach. "I feel that's going to be entertaining for the fans and players too as we will get to see a lot of end-to-end football. It often gets boring when one team attacks and other defend but I don't think that will be the case tomorrow."
For Portugal, he will be hoping that the winning combinations from the first game click again. The onus will be falling on returning midfielder Mirabaje to get back to his old self and dictate things in the midfield with Paulinho and Vinit Rai.
The young icon of the club lallianzuala Chhangte, who was lacklustre in the last game and was substituted early, is expected to create more havoc from the left wing in the match as his partner in crime left-back Ralte will be back in the squad too.
Disappointingly, first-choice goalkeeper Albino Gomes won't be available for the game and is expected to be replaced by Sukhadev Patil in the line-up.
Goa, on the other hand, would carry on with their winning formula of an attacking 4-2-3-1. Corominas up front, with lanzarote 'in the hole', are expected to be a handful for the Delhi's defence guarded by defensive midfielder Rai above them. On wings, Mandar Rao Desai and Brandon Fernandez have often provided the arsenal of crosses to Corominas into the box and would be a tough test for the likes of Pritam Kotal and Ralte guarding the flanks.
Delhi fans so far have been resorted to some mediocre football by their club and it has reflected on the turnout at the stadium.
However, things might change on Saturday if both the teams played the way they have promised to at the buildup of the game.
Then attacking football treat is indeed on the cards.