For all the promising talent within the squad, Delhi Dynamos endured a disappointing 2017-18 campaign in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL), finishing in eighth in the standings. With a host of new additions and an experienced manager at the helm, the Lions have another chance to prove their mettle and challenge for the coveted Hero ISL title.

New head coach Josep Gombau was present at the Hero ISL Media Day event in Mumbai along with Marcos Tebar and Vinit Rai. The trio spoke exclusively to indiansuperleague.com on what to expect from the side heading into the new season.

Attacking football on the cards

With plenty of fresh blood in the squad, the Dynamos fans are eagerly anticipating the style of play that will be employed by the team. Gombau gave strong indications that the team will take an offensive approach, relying on quality attacking play upfront. “The football we want to play is attacking football which is something that I like to do, and I think we have the right players to do it and our aim is to score as many goals as we can. To play the kind of football that people enjoy when people watch the game in stadium.”

This will be Gombau’s first stint in India, after spells in Australia and Spain. The 42-year-old admitted that he was looking forward to a new experience in the league and to achieve positive results with the squad. “I am so happy to be here. I like the challenge and I am excited that the league is starting in 10 days for us and moving forward I think that we will have a very good season, we have our first game and we want to try to be competitive and achieve the results that are in our mind.”

Familiar face in the squad

Dynamic midfielder Marcos Tebar returned to Delhi Dynamos after a spell with FC Pune City. The Spaniard expressed his delight on making a return to the club, after an impressive first season. “I am very happy to be back at Delhi Dynamos. That was a really good experience in the third season of the Hero ISL to play for them and I wanted to repeat and to join Delhi Dynamos for this new project, new challenge for all of us.”

Tebar also gave us some insight into Gombau’s coaching methods and what he can bring to the table for Delhi. “We have a good relationship. I think he is a nice guy and he wanted to improve the level of the players day-by-day. He wants us to work hard every day, to perform well and I think he is the ideal coach for India because he is like a teacher to the Indian players and he repeats things a lot of times and that will be very good for all of us.”

Learning from last season’s mistakes

Youngster Vinit Rai spoke of the areas that the team is working on with the new head coach to make sure they put in better performances this time around. “Yes, our club made some changes in terms of coaches and players. There will be some difference, but you know, as we couldn't achieve what we wanted last season and we have learned from that message. So, this season as a team, we're going to stand together and fix all the mistakes and we're looking forward to this season.”

Delhi Dynamos begin their 2018-19 campaign at home against FC Pune City on October 3.