ISL 2017: We have prepared well for the season & will look to begin with a win, says FCPC coach Popovic

FC PUNE CITY host Delhi Dynamos in their first outing of this ISL season at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium in Pune tonight.

Both the teams have undergone changes in their squad and will look to start on a winning note especially Pune City who are yet to make it to the playoffs.

Coach Ranko Popovic believes Pune City has had a good preparation time and are ready to begin their season.

"We have had a long preparation, especially for the players who have had a long break. They have had too much time without football and I want to see how we function after a long break. I think we are good, we are okay, and the preparation time was good. The players are excited, but after a long break, everyone is a little bit more careful for the first match and this is normal. I hope we will be at a level which we want to be at," he said at the pre-match press conference.

Talking about playing at home and how it's important to win matches irrespective of the venue, he said,

"Look, I don’t see playing at home as an advantage, because if you want to achieve something, then you have to play well home and away. Three points at home and away are the same. Of course, we will have more support at home and this can maybe make the difference. The fans can push us and give us more energy to get three points. But as a coach, I try to make my team play the same kind of football, whether it’s home or away."

He also stated that all players are equally important in the squad irrespective of their nationality and everyone needs to support each other.

"For me all our players are local players because we play in the Indian league so whoever will be in the best condition for the match, he will play. All the players are FC Pune City players and this is the unique thing for us."

Talking about few players who have played for Delhi in the past and now represent Pune especially Marcelinho, he said,

"I am happy to have Marcelinho as well as other foreign players, and our players from India. It is good to have competition in the team. If you have more competition, you will receive more quality on the pitch. And this is what we want to do. Is it possible for Marcelinho to take the lead for every game? No! He needs support, Ashique Kuruniyan needs support, Isaac also needs support, and everyone needs support. And that’s why the balance will be important. I don’t like to talk about one or two players."

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