Delhi Dynamos FC open their 2018-19 campaign of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) with a home encounter against last season’s semi-finalists FC Pune City at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday. Both clubs experienced contrasting fortunes last year, when the Lions finished eighth on the table and the Stallions reached the playoffs for the first time in their history.

However, much of the focus of the match will be on Miguel Portugal, who returns to Delhi to play against his former club, as the head coach of the Stallions. The Lions themselves have a new head coach and a fresh squad, who would be raring to start on a positive note in their season opener.

Delhi Dynamos

A lot is expected of new head coach Josep Gombau and his troops for the upcoming campaign. The former Barcelona youth coach is known to play an attractive possession-based style of football and fans will be eagerly waiting to witness what he has to offer to the team.

Dynamos have heavily reinforced their squad over the course of the summer with Marti Crespi Pascual and Gianni Zuiverloon brought in to shore up the defence. Former Pune City player Marcos Tebar makes a return to Delhi and will team up in the middle of the park with former Chennaiyin FC man Rene Mihelic.

Promising youngsters from last season, Lallianzuala Chhangte and Nandhakumar Sekar is likely to aid the team down the flanks, while Andrija Kaluderovic, who is known for his prolific form in front of goal, is expected to start and spearhead the attack.

Here’s a look at Delhi Dynamos’ 2017-18 season in numbers.

FC Pune City

The Stallions are another team that have undergone a sea change during the summer transfer window. New head coach Portugal will be hoping to get his tenure off to a good start and what better way to do it than to get one over his former side.

Their biggest summer signing Iain Hume is out with injury, while Marcelinho is suspended for the first game. However, Emiliano Alfaro does have the ability to single-handedly inflict damage on any side and has a good record against the Lions, having scored thrice in two matches.

In midfield, Jonathan Vila and Adil Khan may start and will be expected to form an effective partnership at the centre of the park. Matt Mills could make his debut for the club in defence, alongside Martin Diaz and Sahil Panwar, with Vishal Kaith guarding the Pune fortress.

Here’s a look at Pune’s 2017-18 season in numbers:

PROBABLE LINE-UPS:

DELHI DYNAMOS: Francisco Dorronsoro, Gianni Zuiverloon, Marti Crespi, Pritam Kotal, Narayan Das, Bikramjit Singh, Marcos Tebar, Vinit Rai, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Nandhakumar Sekar, Andrija Kaluderovic

FC PUNE CITY: Vishal Kaith, Matt Mills, Gurtej Singh, Sarthak Golui, Sahil Panwar, Jonathan Vila, Adil Ahmed Khan, Marko Stankovic, Diego Carlos, Muhammed Ashique Kuruniyan, Emiliano Alfaro

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Delhi are on a six-match unbeaten run from the last season (three wins and three draws).
  • Delhi have lost just once against Pune over the years (Played 8, Won 4, Drawn 3 and lost 1).
  • Pune lost just one match away from home last season (the least by any side) in the league stage.

FANSPEAK

Which Spaniard will come out on top in his debut game as head coach?

  • Josep Gombau
  • Miguel Portugal

Have your say in the comments section below.

Catch the match live on the Star Sports Network, Hotstar and Jio TV from 7:30 PM.