ISL 2016: Delhi Dynamos manager Gianluca Zambrotta uses discipline to bring out best in players
The atmosphere in the Delhi Dynamos camp during Indian Super League (ISL) 2016 has been quite different from any of the previous campaigns. After playing nine games, Delhi Dynamos are on top of the table with 16 points and have lost only one game till now. To say the least, new manager Gianluca Zambrotta is has made a huge impact on the team and his methods seem to be showing on the field.
Delhi Dynamos notched their third win on the trot when they defeated Chennayin FC in a comprehensive performance, which they celebrated with great fervour. However, these celebrations come after a lot of hard work and discipline – pillars of Gianluca’s philosophy as a manager during this campaign. Sources close to the club told Sportskeeda about how the coach has laid down strict markers for players during the course of this season.
“Zambrotta has been really strict with players this season. He has created plans and time-tables, which each player needs to follow. There is a fixed time for everything, right from talking to the media to going out. Players respect the manager and want to give their best for him. He knows what it takes to be successful at the top and is bringing out the best in his players,” the source claims.
It is also believed that Zambrotta has worked pretty hard to ensure that his team does not lose by conceding a lot of goals. The fact that he is a defender has helped Delhi Dynamos stay tight in defence and they have conceded only 8 goals till now, making it really tough for the opposition to score. While the defence is tight, the forward line, including Marcelinho, Richard Gadze, Kean Lewis and Florent Malouda, is firing on all cylinders and has scored a combined total of 13 goals.
Delhi Dynamos are leading the league in terms of shots on target (56), goals scored (13) and points per match (1.8), which show how they have managed to perform exceptionally in both attack and defence. Their season started with a win but a string of three draws, a defeat and another draw resulted in critics suggesting that Delhi Dynamos might not be able to able to make it to the top four.
However, persisting with his 4-1-4-1 formation, Zambrotta has turned things around and Delhi Dynamos will be looking to register their fourth win on the trot when they face Atletico de Kolkata in a crucial top-of-the-table clash on Sunday. Should Dynamos manage to win against Atletico Kolkata on Sunday, it will bring them really close to a semi-final spot and give Zambrotta a chance to rest some of his key players in coming days.