Kolkata: FC Pune City will not only be aiming to continue their winning momentum but also face a task of registering their first win against Chennaiyin FC in three seasons, when the two face off at the Sree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex on Sunday. Six matches in three seasons but the ‘Stallions’ are yet to win a match against the ‘Marina Machans,’ but coach Popovic is however confident of breaking the ice-box this time around.
“This is one more reason to be motivated,” said the Line head coach ahead of the match on Sunday.
In the last six encounters, Chennaiyin have won four while drawing the other two, but Popovic sees the past as a motivation for the present and is adamant of changing the tides, when the two square-off again.
“Whatever has happened in the past can be changed; that should be our motivation. But even bigger motivation will be to get all three points. I’m looking forward to one good performance from my players. We need to play well,” added the Yugoslavian.
Things nonetheless stand different this season for Pune who have failed to reach the play-offs even once since it’s inception four years ago. The ‘Stallions’ come on the back of a back-to-back victories against defending champions ATK and Mumbai City in the Maharashtra derby. They have scored nine goals in three matches with the striking duo of Marcelinho and Alfaro scoring six of them.
Chennaiyin FC head coach John Gregory is however aware of the threat both of them possess but backs his team to deliver. The ‘Machans’ are also on a good run having bounced back with a 3-0 victory over NorthEast United after a 2-3 defeat against FC Goa in the opener.
“We need to be at our best against Pune. Two of their boys have grabbed all the headlines in the last couple of games. Alfaro and Marcelinho are playing outstanding. They have scored goals between them. And we’ll certainly need to be at our best to try to keep those two quiet,” said the Englishman Gregory.
A win on Sunday may take Pune to top of the table, however Popovic asks his boys to focus on the match and not the points.
“Of course going on the top of the table is a motivation. That’s the reason we are here. Now we have to go and give everything whatever we are learning together. We have to play and enjoy; the people also want to come and enjoy our play,” added Popovic.
His side has however been playing regular matches on the run, with 4 matches in 11 days and when asked if this was an disadvantage for them, given Chennaiyin had a week’s rest, Popovic retaliated that this is not bothered by such pressures and believes in the abilities of his boys.