A battle between two nervy sides

TODAY’S MATCH: FC Pune City vs Atletico de Kolkata, Pune, STAR Sports 2, 3 & HD2, 7 p.m.

November 29, 2014 12:42 am | Updated 12:42 am IST - PUNE:

Atletico de Kolkata is primed for action as the Hero Indian Super League enters a critical stage. ATK will seek to pull its socks up, after losing its last two games.

FC Pune City inflicted the first home loss on ATK in the seventh league tie, a 3-1 verdict highlighted by spectacular goals.

Both sides face off in the return leg at the Balewadi sports complex on Saturday night, eyeing victory at all cost.

Second on the table

With 16 points from 10 matches, ATK is second on the league table, and has two other sides, FC Goa and Kerala Blasters, breathing down its neck (15 points each from 11 ties).

Any slip-up at this stage can throw the Kolkata side’s campaign off course.

Coach Antonio Habas and captain Luis Garcia have played their cards well so far. The focus is on rotating players in such a way that twin objectives — of keeping players fresh and keeping the opponents guessing — are met.

Garcia will be especially fired up against Pune City, after having the linesman deny what would have been his side’s equaliser against Kerala Blasters in its previous match.

A striker capable of creating magical goals, Garcia is but one of many threats that Pune City will need to keep an eye on.

Spaniard Borja Fernandez and Ethiopian forward Fikru Lemassa are two names on that lookout list.

Fernandez is a hardworking defensive midfielder, who often gets into scoring positions. Fikru is the second highest scorer in the ISL so far, recording four stunning goals in eight games.

Tough opponent

FC Pune City is a tough opponent to handle, especially on its home turf.

Its Nigerian striker Dudu Omagbemi, marquee player David Trezeguet from France, and Greek World Cupper Konstantinos Kastouranis can dictate the course of a game.

The home side (12 points) also has issues to resolve, losing to FC Goa away.

With both teams tense after recent losses and in a state of flux, spills and thrills resulting in defensive errors and goals can be expected.

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