ISL 2017-18: Popovic hints he may be forced to change his working combination

FRESH AFTER THE LAST WIN, FC Pune City will host Kerala Blasters, who too, won their last game.

Ranko Popovic, coach of FC Pune City, spoke to the media ahead of tonight’s fixture.

“Look, I think topping is very good, but I said from the beginning, if you want to have success, you must be ready to play defensive and offensive at the same time,” the Serbian explained. “If we find a balance between the two, we will be a good team. And we are trying to be good; we are still not as good as we want to be, but we are on the way to that. And this is what we want; to be one good, strong, solid team that plays without oscillations.”

Popovich has said in the past that he does not like to rotate his squad too often and ahead of tonight’s game, he said he might have to re-think that.

“You must always play and try to find some good solution in different games,” he remarked. “When you have this situation, it is a great challenge. But I don’t like it because I like to repeat the team, and I like to give the guys a bit of continuity. Unfortunately, there are some problems that does not allow some players to enjoy the game tomorrow.”

On Alfaro being needing rest after playing every game for FC Pune City so far, Popovic replied

“If it is necessary to rest Alfaro, I will. But I don’t feel this. If he comes to me and tells me that he wants to have rest, it’s fine. But if you see the games, if I want to change Alfaro before the end of a match, he is not happy. And this is good. I want everyone to be like this and have this mentality to play 90 minutes.”

Talking on the opponents, Kerala Blasters, the FCPC head coach was aware of the danger possessed by David James’ team,

“It will be a very difficult match,” Popovic inferred. “Because we know what Kerala is like. It is a traditionally good club. And especially, now at this moment, there are some fresh players. They have a new challenge, and the motivation is big for them. Of course, you would never know what you can expect in any game. But for me, I think it depends on how we are. If we are good, it will be easy for us. We have to dedicate 100 percent of our work to all the things.”