Dynamos coach Carlos promises "lots of goals" in season 2 of ISL
DELHI DYNAMOS WILL ADOPT an ultra-offensive approach to score "lots of goals" in the impending second season of the Indian Super League (ISL), marquee coach-manager Roberto Carlos promised on Wednesday.
The legendary defender added he will employ himself in a midfield role, away from his customary left-back position, which he made his own during his heydays, but will play sparsely "according to the need of the situation", even though the 42-year-old claimed to be fighting fit and under no pressure to perform.
His team's intention will be to push forward in search of goals but he won't be bowed down by the task of showcasing "the Brazilian brand" of football.
"If they score four, we score five. If they score five, we score six. I am a Brazilian. We play to score and win. The spectators doesn't want to see a 0-0 draw. They come to see goals and be entertained. My team will play to score," Carlos said after overseeing his team's practice session here, in which he refrained from participating.
"I am under no pressure to perform. Pressure was when I played for Real Madrid or Brazil. Here there is no such pressure. The tournament also doesn't have relegation, so I can perform freely and have fun.
"I will play in the centre of midfield. I tried myself in that position during our training in Denmark and felt comfortable playing there."
He is willing to be flexible with formations and tactics in order to achieve his target of free-flowing football. But his approach will be dictated by the "demands of the situation" and expressed his happiness with the level of professionalism and eagerness to learn exhibited by the Indian players in his team.
"I have told the foreign players in my team to guide the Indian players who are good and responsive to what has been told to them. The Indian players of my team are good. The foreigners will imbibe a winning mentality in them. It is not enough to be just good. They have to contribute to the team's cause. They have been set specific goals and should also feel responsible for their actions," Carlos said.
The 125-times capped Brazilian will happily oblige to release the Indian players from his team for international duty, despite it clashing with the opening round of ISL games but refused to be comment on the controversy on whether national commitments should be compromised for the ISL, which begins on October 3.
The build-up to the tournament has been engulfed in dissention after the ISL organisers refused to release the Indian players for the two home 2018 World Cup qualifying games -- on October 8 and 13, against Turkmenistan and Oman, respectively.
Dynamos have three players -- Robin Singh, Shehnaz Singh and Francis Frenandez -- who can be called up by for those matches. Dynamos begin their campaign with a away game against FC Goa on October 4, followed by a home match against Chennaiyin FC on October 8.
"For a footballer nothing more is important than playing for your country. I have also played everytime when called up by my country. They can go. No problem," the 2002-World Cup winner said.
The Sao Paulo-born has also brought in his country cousin, left-footed midfielder Vinicius Ferreira de Souza, unveiled on Wednesday, who will be preferred on the wide left position, over the team's two other illustrious left-footed marquee players Frenchman Florent Malouda and Norwegian John Arne Riise.
"Malouda and Riise are not the pacy players they used to be. I know Vinicius. He is very fast. He is young and has a lost of quality. Let him play then you will see what I mean," Carlos reasoned.
