After registering their best-ever Hero Indian Super League (ISL) finish in 2017-18, where they entered the playoffs for the first time in the league history, FC Pune City will be looking to go a step further in 2018-19. The new season brings renewed hope for the Pune faithful and with the latest signings in the squad, the Stallions can lay claim to the elusive trophy in their fifth attempt. Here we take a look at the how the club is placed ahead of the season.

TRANSFER INS AND OUTS

Pune City’s biggest signing of the new season has been the capture of Hero ISL’s all-time top goal-scorer Iain Hume. However, the Canadian forward is currently sidelined with an injury and will have to wait for a few months before he is ready to take to the pitch.

Other notable foreign signings include English defender Matthew Claude Mills and Uruguayan Martin Diaz. The lethal forward duo of Emiliano Alfaro and Marcelinho have also been retained by the club, a move which will please the Pune faithful.

Marcos Tebar, who departed the club during the summer transfer window to rejoin Delhi Dynamos, will be a big miss at the centre of the park. But new signings Jonathan Vila and Nikhil Poojary have been brought on board to serve as the designated replacements for the midfielder.

AT THE HELM

With Serbian manager Ranko Popovic leaving the club this summer, Pune City have appointed Miguel Portugal as the new man-in-charge. The Portuguese coach takes over the reigns after helming Delhi Dynamos FC in 2017-18.

While the Lions endured a fairly disappointing campaign, Portugal did enjoy brief spells of success with the side. Delhi went on an unbeaten streak towards the end of the campaign and Portugal would be hoping to continue that positive record with the new side.

Given the quality of players at his disposal, Portugal has the ability to turn this side into a title-winning team. The squad completed their pre-season preparations with a 3-2 victory over Gokulam Kerala FC. The Spaniard will now be hoping that the team quickly adjusts to his strategies and playing style.

STRENGTHS

Throughout the 2017-18 season, the Stallions relied on the individual brilliance of Emiliano Alfaro and Marcelinho to come up with the goods. Alfaro finished as Pune’s top scorer with nine goals, while his Brazilian counterpart contributed with eight goals and seven assists. Their presence in the squad will be the Stallions’ greatest asset.

With Iain Hume addition this season, Pune City boast of arguably the finest forward line in the league. If the trio can build a chemistry amongst themselves, opponents will find it hard to contain them this season.

AREAS OF CONCERN

While Pune did fare well last season in front of goal, they were a bit short in defence. Despite the presence of Vishal Kaith, who produced the joint-most number of clean sheets last season, the Stallions did suffer a few cracks in the back, especially down the flanks. Portugal will have to resolve this issue if they are to build a strong challenge for the ultimate title.

SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS: Kamaljit Singh, Vishal Kaith, Anuj Kumar

DEFENDERS: Nim Dorjee Tamang, Gurtej Singh, Matt Mills, Sarthak Golui, Martin Diaz, Lalchhuanmawia Fenai, Sahil Panwar

MIDFIELDERS: Adil Khan, Jonathan Vila, Shankar Sampingraj, Alwyn George, Marko Stankovic, Rohit Kumar

FORWARDS: Nikhil Poojari, Muhammed Ashique Kuruniyan, Diego Carlos, Marcelo Pereira, Gabriel Fernandes, Emiliano Alfaro, Robin Singh 

FINAL VERDICT 

Given the quality of strikers within the squad, it would be hard to bet against Pune vying for top spots this season. If the defence line holds strong and the flanks keep feeding the fantastic forwards upfront, Pune can definitely go the distance. However, only time will tell how Miguel Portugal and Co. fare this season. 

Watch them battle it out in their first game of the season against Delhi Dynamos on October 3 at the capital, with their first home match being against Bengaluru FC on October 22. 

To view their full list of fixtures, click here.