FC Pune City’s star midfielder from Goa relishes plying his trade for the second successive season for a team that is now on top of the league standings and gunning for the title
ANDREA FERNANDES
PANAJI
One major boost for Pune City will be the availability of their ace midfielder Lenny Rodrigues who was taken out due to injury against Atlético de Kolkata.
This Goan lad who is juggling for the ISL side FC Pune City for the second consecutive season is one among the few Indians who has made it to the playing XI. His super technical ability with the ball is what sets him apart from the other footballers in the country.
“My coach David Platt is a very good coach and it is a privilege to train under him. He is very much impressed with me and keeps motivating me on and off field. I feel very good when he compliments me on my fitness level,” says the 28 year old midfielder from Cortalim.
When questioned about his strength in the game that sets him apart from others, Lenny replied:“Fighting for the ball and eventually winning it from the rival player is what I like.”
Apart from being a fit and pacey midfielder he always has his eyes set on the goal and this is what makes him different and one of a kind. In the six matches played by him he has managed to score a total of six shots on goal.
“According to me everyone has an important and equal role to play in the match against FC Goa. We are training extremely hard and players that the club has drafted in this year are very good compared to the previous season,” said Lenny.
Lenny has spent a total of 795 minutes on the field, resulting into a total of 10 appearances for FC Pune City in the inaugural edition of the ISL. This year he has played four out of six matches for his side till date. He missed out on two matches as he was injured and had to be escorted out of the ground in the 33rd minute of the match against Atlético de Kolkata on October 17.
“I was injured and missed out on two matches against Chennaiyin FC and Kerala Blasters. I practiced after ten days on October 29 and feel very fit and ready to take on FC Goa. Since there is no better feeling than playing at home and against my home team,” said the star India midfielder.
“I have always supported Brazil and playing against Brazilians Leonardo da Silva Moura, Lucimar Ferreira da Silva and others will be an altogether amazing experience for me,” said Lenny.
“All I know is I want to win and earn those three points for my team so we continue to remain on the top of the table. Our aim is to qualify for the play-off and am sure that this time Pune will make it,” he signed off.
LENNY SO FAR...
The Goan medio has spent a total of 795 minutes on the field, resulting into a total of 10 appearances for FC Pune City in the inaugural edition of the ISL. This year he has played four out of six matches for his side till date. He missed out on two matches as he was injured and had to be escorted out of the ground in the 33rd minute of the match against Atlético de Kolkata on October 17.
