New Delhi: After spoiling Atletico de Kolkata’s perfect record in the Hero Indian Super League, Delhi Dynamos will aim to blemish Chennaiyin FC’s 100 % success rate at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday.
Despite drawing its first two games, the host has earned plaudits for a vibrant display against Pune and a doughty performance in Kolkata.
Harm van Veldhoven started with a 4-3-3 formation against Atletico before changing to 4-4-2 for the last 20 minutes or so. Such tactical versatility lies at the core of the Dutch-Belgian coach’s vision.
The selection of Pavel Elias at right-back particularly proved to be a wise decision, not only due to his wonder strike.
The Czech defender, though, is a carrying a shoulder problem into Saturday’s clash.
Morten Skoubo could miss the match too as he is yet to recover fully from his knee injury.
This could mean Dynamos will start with a front two of Mads Junker and Alessandro Del Piero.
However, despite the side’s focus on ball possession and attacking vibrancy, only one goal has been scored off 22 shots till now.
A two-man strike partnership will not necessarily provide the tonic for Dynamos’ ills; neither would it be the ideal setup to counter the visitor’s three-man central defence.
The visiting coach Marco Materazzi would also not be averse to shifting to a four-man defence like he did against Kerala Blasters when Abhishek Das had to be taken off with an injury.
Das is likely to miss the encounter against Dynamos too, like Dane Perreira.
On the eve of the match, Dynamos coach Harm van Veldhoven spoke about gaining greater control in midfield.
It’s an area Chennayin could dominate with the likes of Elano and Eric Djemba-Djemba at its disposal.
van Veldhoven’s choice for number 10 will be intriguing to see as the coach remarked that Del Piero would fit the role well. Bruno Arias had played in that position against Kolkata but the Spaniard admitted that he had been deployed in a deeper role for the majority his career.
