Delhi Dynamos have been brilliant in ISL 2016 as they top the table with 16 points. Their recent form has been talking point of the ISL, winning three matches on a trot, including a massive 4-1 win over Chennaiyin FC. Delhi will be keen to keep that winning momentum going when they host Atletico de Kolkata at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi on Sunday.
The hosts are going to be fully aware that their only loss in ISL 2016 came against Kolkata, who emerged victorious in match 20 of the competition. It was a close match, which could have gone either way, but Kolkata emerged victorious with a narrow 1-0 win.
So one would think this is a perfect chance for Delhi to take revenge. But that is not what Dynamos coach Gianluca Zambrotta has in mind for the highly-anticipated clash, and rather wants his players to focus for the match on Sunday.
Another win for Delhi, and they will enjoy a four-point lead at the top of table, which could be massive considering the race for the top four is looking tough.
"There is no revenge (on my mind) because it was a good match when we lost against a good team. There is special motivation for us to focus on this team because it's a team against whom we lost. For this reason, we will try to concentrate on this game," Press Trust of India quoted Zambrotta as saying.
Delhi have been a formidable team with their foreign players leading from the front. They have been fluid on the offensive front, as Marcelo Leite Pereira, Richard Gatze and Kean Lewis have scored 5, 3 and 3 goals respectively. It remains to be seen how Kolkata will fare with these dangerous players.
Kolkata, who have won two editions of the ISL, have lacked consistency this season. They have looked good in patches, scripting three wins only. They will have to play some good football to win their fourth match, and their big names have to stand up and be counted. They had great hopes from Ian Hume, who has not been too great this season.
Kolkata has only scored nine so far, and they need to take their goals tally up if they are to provide stiff challenge to other teams in the competition. With Delhi brimming in confidence, Kolkata will not find it easy, but they have it in them to defeat Delhi once again. They will have to give it their all during the clash. Coach Jose Molina is ready for the big fight in Delhi.
"We trained during this week, got time to prepare for this match and we know it will be difficult game. Delhi are at top, may be they are the best team in the league right now, but we want to be there and fight tomorrow," Molina said.
Where to watch live
Delhi Dynamos vs Atletico de Kolkata is scheduled to kick off at 7 pm IST (1.30 pm GMT)
India: TV - Star Sports 1/HD1, Star Sports 2/HD2, Star Sports 3/HD3
Star Gold, Star Utsav (Hindi)
Jalsha Movies (Bengali)
Asianet Movies (Malayalam)
Asianet Suvarna Plus (Kannada)
Live streaming - Hotstar.
Europe: TV - Star Gold
Australia, USA: TV - Fox Sports
Canada: TV - CBN, ATN Bangla
Bangladesh: TV - Channel 9
South-East Asia: TV - Eurosport
