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Delhi Dynamos FC host FC Pune City in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi on Friday. The Lions have seen a resurgence of late, which has seen them on an unbeaten run of five games, which includes three wins. After taking to task a Mumbai City FC side with a 5–1 scoreline in their last encounter, they would want to bid adieu to their season campaign on a victorious note.
The Stallions, on the other hand, have already qualified but enter the match on the back of a disappointing 0-4 defeat at the hands of FC Goa in their previous fixture. They would have to be wary of the Lions in a tricky away fixture, as they aim to cement the second position in the table, going into the semifinals. The visitors would, however, miss the services of their captain and Brazilian goal-machine Marcelinho, who picked up two yellow cards in the match against the Gaurs.
HEAD TO HEAD
Delhi Dynamos FC 4–1 FC Pune City (2 draws)
KEY PLAYERS
Matias Mirabaje (Delhi Dynamos FC)
The Uruguayan has been the engine in the midfield for the Lions’ side. A player who is strong, quick with the ball at his feet and clinical when it comes to finishing, Mirabaje has three goals and an assist to his name. He will look to influence his side to a victory one final time, to end the season on a positive note.
Emiliano Alfaro (FC Pune City)
The Stallion’s Uruguayan forward was a major miss in their defeat to Goa. Alfaro has spearheaded the Pune attacking line with gusto with his speed and poaching instincts. Always a danger to the opponents with the ball at his feet, he has seven goals and two assists to his name this season and would look to be at his best against Delhi.
POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS
Delhi Dynamos FC
Miguel Portugal may use a 4-2-3-1 formation which has brought his team success in recent times.
Goalkeeper: Arnab Das Sharma
Defenders: Pritam Kotal, Pratik Chowdhary, Gabriel Cichero, Munmun Lugun
Midfielders: Matias Mirabaje, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Manuel Arana, Paulinho Dias, Seityasen Singh
Forward: Kalu Uche
Delhi head coach on the team’s mentality ahead of the match: “The form is very good after the back-to-back wins. Winning is always a very important part of football, to stay motivated and happy. Now, we must play the last match of the season and try and win this one to stay happy.”
FC Pune City
Ranko Popovic may counter with his own 4-2-3-1 formation, which ensures their attack receives good service from the midfield.
Goalkeeper: Vishal Kaith
Defenders: Sarthak Golui, Gurtej Singh, Rafael Lopez, Lalchhuanmawia Fanai
Midfielders: Marko Stankovic, Adil Khan, Jonatan Lucca, Marcos Tebar, Ashique Kuruniyan
Forward: Emiliano Alfaro
Pune head coach on the importance of ending the league phase with a win: “This is the last game of the regular season, so it is important to have a nice finish and leave a good impression. For me, the way how you perform is important. If you give everything on the pitch, then you can be unsatisfied with the result, but never with yourself.”
KEY STATS
– Pune have never beaten the Lions at Delhi
– Both teams have lost six games this season so far
PREVIOUS ENCOUNTER
FC Pune City 2 – 3 Delhi Dynamos FC (22nd November 2017 at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium in Pune)
FORM GUIDE (Last five matches)
Delhi Dynamos FC: W W D W D
FC Pune City: L D W W L
