David Platt is focussed on matters under his control at FC Pune City than in plotting about the opposition.
“We worked hard in pre-season and I am interested in seeing whether performance matches the efforts. He was referring to the team’s opener at the Balewadi Stadium, amidst high expectations. “We have studied Mumbai City, they have a set of characters whom we need to deal with.”
Nicolas Anelka is one such character in the rival camp, as player-cum-manager. Platt is ready for the question and also interested in knowing how a former Premier League teammate will handle the new situation.
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“We played together for Arsenal. As a player, he was super talented individual, needs to be dealt with respect because he can change the course of any match in one magical moment,” said the FCPC coach.
“I have not faced him before as coach. It is tough to do both. If I was also playing, I would be very critical on myself the way I would deal with others on the team,” said Platt, expecting a tight game. “The League is going to be very tight, it was tight last season also and each team has only 14 games to prove its worth.”
The home team will go into Monday’s opener without the services of three Indian internationals — Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Jackichand Singh and Pritam Kotal.
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“The proudest moment for any footballer is when a chance comes to represent his country.” Platt is unfazed about minor fitness problems for striker Adrian Mutu, hinting that the Romanian may come in later stages of the game.
For Mumbai City, the choice of goalkeeper is a major decision to counter the Pune City strikeforce. Subrata Paul’s non-availability leaves the door open for Debjit Majumder and Albino Gomes, an experienced I-League custodian from Mohun Bagan and an India U-23 talent from Salgaocar respectively.
MCFC assistant coach Oscar Bruzon and senior player Andre Moritz sound confident about the replacement getting the job done.
“Competition is always good for the team. Subrata is the national team goalkeeper, so whoever plays and performs improves his chances of being considered for the national team. The team management and coaching staff have confidence in Debjit and Albino,” Moritz said.