PANAJI
After a rather indifferent last season after promising much, FC Pune City look to play to potential this time around after making smart buys in the ISL players draft.
The Stallions have strung their purses high for bringing on last season's top goal poacher Marcelinho (10) from Delhi Dynamos FC along with proven performer, Emilano Alfaro (NorthEast United FC) to provide intent along the flanks and into the box to bring success. In matches up to now, the Stallions have forged a good understanding with their wide men moving into the deep end and with either one or the other playing the role of the provider or finisher among themselves.
The Stallions will test the might of FC Goa on Saturday and Marcelinho singled out the Gaurs as favourites to reach the play-offs. Speaking to The Goan, on Thursday, the Brazilian attacking player said, "FC Goa is a very solid and connected team. I am sure they will reach the semi-finals."
Having made a switch from Delhi Dynamos to FC Pune City this season, the seasoned footballer felt that his new side is comparatively not as strong as his former club. "We had a strong side under Italian manager Gianluca Zambrotta (Delhi). This year we have a lot of young players (in Pune) and we are trying to find our best XI," Marcelinho said. Under his new dispensation, the FC Pune City right winger feels the Ranko Popovic-managed unit will be probe FC Goa's Spanish-flavoured game. "While I may have Spanish football experience, like the FC Goa Spanish gaffer Sergio Lobera, our Head Coach Popovic also has his share of coaching experience in Spain (managed Spanish club, Real Zaragoza in 2014-15). I do not need to tell our coach anything. He knows the Spanish mentality well. They are very intense on the field; I know for sure that the coach will try to make the best points work for us," the Brazilian said.
Having played across the world in places like Spain, Brazil, Greece and the Emirates, he sees India on an upward curve in the beautiful game. "In India, in a short span of time, we have (reached) a high level of football. I think India is growing every year in football. The intensity of the training and in the game has improved. The players here are learning quickly. I am impressed with Indian football and in time it will be a big reality to the world," the pacy winger assessed.
Although he started as a youth in Brazil (Flamengo) and moved to senior ranks in Spain (Atlético Madrid B), he considers Greece as his second home. "I have been there for 5-6 years and have grown as a footballer there," Marcelinho, who has had his longest and most fruitful association with Greek club, Skoda Xanthi (115 games with 17 goals and 14 assists in all competitions), said.
Having started his career as a left winger, his role with Pune has seen him ply his trade from the other flank.
"In Delhi, we had a strong midfield which included Malouda. So my position there was to wait for the ball. Here, with Pune, we do not have a player of the quality of Malouda. We cannot play from the marker to defence to make a good offensive move. Now I try to come back a little bit and give more quality to the midfield. I am not in the attack all the time," he said on having to adapt on positional play this season. On his preferred position on the field, the team player that he is, stated that he will play wherever the coach wants him to, even if it is as a goalkeeper. "I have the quality to play as a winger and can go well as a second striker too," Marcelinho stated.
Sharing wing duties with Emiliano Alfaro, he delights in the complementing experience working with the Uruguayan player. "He is very good and knows the work ethic. He has the ability to create spaces for my individual play upfront. On the other hand, I am able to find him quickly as he moves forward," Marcelinho said.
