ISL Matchday 29: Struggling Pune City, FC Goa seek inspiration to surge from the bottom of the table

One would not been faulted for thinking that FC Pune City would have gone on to set the Indian Super League on fire before the season got under way. It was primarily down to the lofty reputation that their new coach Antonio Habas came with. For all the high-pressing, possession based ethos that his former side Atletico de Kolkata pulled off with such great effect in the first two ISL seasons, the Spanish coach has looked out of his depth with Pune.

However, all is not lost for Pune and the bottom-placed FC Goa. They have eight and seven games to play respectively and still kickstart a winning run to challenge for a semi-final spot. But there are some obvious deficiencies in the side that are tough to repair given the breakneck nature of fixtures, which allow little room for the players to breathe and the managers to change things around midway through the season.

At least with Pune, it is their attacking line that has let them down. It seems as though the team management centered their plans around marquee signing Eidur Gudjohnsen before the start of the season. The former Chelsea and Barcelona midfielder's injury at the start of the season meant that Pune had to look elsewhere for goals, which has sadly not come by for them.

Dramane Traore and Jesus Tato have not been upto scratch. Apoua Edel, their goalkeeper, though, has been sensational and comes into the game after pulling off one of best displays between the sticks in the league's short history.

Zico and Goa's struggles have been even more perplexing. Like Habas, Zico has been around long enough to know what ticks and what does not in the league. Like Pune, Goa have also lacked finesse in front of goal. Rafael Coelho, who impressed last season, has cut an anonymous presence. Winger-cum-forward Julio Cesar has been impressive, and him having a good game will be paramount to Goa's chances of getting something out of this game. Zico pointed his side's sluggishness on a late start to the campaign, "First of all, I think we started building our team a bit late, almost at the deadline, after the other teams. Most of our players weren't physically well. But despite everything, we aren't being dominated. The results aren't coming but we are fighting and doing our best,” the Brazilian legend was quoted as saying.

Goa's backline has looked slow and jaded and have leaked 11 goals already. Goa have plenty of attack-minded players and the defence has been left exposed one time too many. Pune have a slight edge in the contest but one expects the overall play to be low on quality, given that both sides have been bereft of any rhythm or direction this season.

Match Facts

Venue: Balewadi Stadium, Pune

Capacity: 9,000

Time: 7 pm IST

Last meeting: November 8th 2015, FC Pune City 2-2 FC Goa

Head-to-head: Matches: 4, Pune wins 1, Goa wins: 1

Key Battles

Richarlyson vs Momar Ndoye

Winger Richarlyson is a tricky customer and has got off to a good start to his ISL campaign and will be one of the few outlets that the Gaurs have in testing the Pune backline, which can be vulnerable. The home side has a decent amount of pace in the centre but it is on the flanks that they have been caught out, on a number of occasions.

The left-wing was left exposed badly by Delhi Dyanamos in the last game. Can Richarlyson take advantage of it here? Momar Ndoye's positioning has be spot on.

Dramane Traore vs Gregory

For the sheer amount of chances that he has had at his disposal, Traore has failed to capitalise and has only compounded Pune's woes. It is vital that he finds the target, given that he is a big presence up front and that he gets into good goalscoring positions.

Gregory, meanwhile, has troubles of his own and his lack of pace has been exposed this season on more that one occasion. Being one of the key figures in his side, it is imperative that he puts up a good show and play his part in keeping a clean sheet.