ISL 2016: FC Pune City 2-1 Atletico de Kolkata - 5 talking points
FC Pune City finally vanquished their woes at home as they handed Atletico de Kolkata their second defeat in the space of three games. The win was their first at home in 7 attempts and the first home win under Antonio Habas in this season’s ISL.
A goal four minutes to half time by Eduardo Ferreira helped put the hosts in front, and they further built on the lead in the second half when Anibal Rodriguez converted from the spot after Pritam Kotal was deemed to have handled the ball. Iain Hume pulled a goal back for Kolkata on the 69th minute, but Habas’ men held on for only their second win this campaign.
Here are the five biggest talking points from the game.
#1 Habas’ tactics work wonders
Antonio Habas had to ring in some changes after the Spaniard saw his team down in the trenches after failing to win any of their last five games coming into the match. And the biggest change that the former Kolkata coach rang out tonight was a change in formation.
Habas opted to go in with a 3-5-2 formation which paid rich dividends. While the trio of Mohamed Sissoko, Jonatan Lucca and Lenny Rodriguez nullified anything Kolkata had to offer through the middle, the likes of Narayan Das and Rahul Bheke enjoyed the added responsibility and space on the flanks as the hosts looked utterly dominant for the majority of the game.
Pune were in dire need of a change that would rejuvenate their side or else they faced an early exit from the running for the semis. Whilst that remains quite an uphill task, the win give them some much-needed boost confidence. And Habas has to be given full marks for helping his team prepped for success.