Defending champions ATK mark their return to the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan by welcoming FC Pune City in the ninth match of Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 on Sunday. The Kolkata-based club would have been disappointed to not have picked up a victory in their opening fixture at Kochi against Kerala Blasters FC after tormenting their defence for much of the game. However, with a passionate crowd behind them, they would look to register their first win of the new season.

The Stallions, on the other hand, boast of one of the best attacking lineups on paper, but they left it late to score a couple in their previous match against Delhi Dynamos FC, which was ultimately not enough in their 3-2 defeat at home. Their first away fixture brings them one of the league’s most formidable teams and they would want to get up and running with three precious points.

Head to Head

ATK 1 – 3 FC Pune City. 2 Draws.

KEY PLAYERS

Zequinha (ATK)

The Portuguese forward was a thorn in the side of Kerala’s defence in ATK’s previous fixture. He created an opening almost every time the ball was at his feet. The 30-year-old was unlucky not to have scored as a sublime effort of his hit the woodwork, but he would look to have much of the same influence when the Stallions come calling.

Emiliano Alfaro (FC Pune City)

The Uruguayan striker, although at times subdued, was the focal point of Pune’s attack against Delhi. He made some quick runs and frequently gave the defenders a hard time in dealing with him. He scored his team’s first goal with a slick finish to cap off a superb solo effort and will want to ensure that he builds up with his form against ATK.

POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS

ATK

Teddy Sheringham will most likely line up ATK in the traditional 4-4-2 formation, making use of the depth his squad possesses.

Goalkeeper: Debjit Majumder

Defenders: Keegan Pereira, Tom Thorpe, Jordi Figueras Montel, Prabir Das

Midfielders: Rupert Nongrum, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Conor Thomas, Hitesh Sharma

Forwards: Zequinha, Njazi Kuqi

ATK’s head coach Teddy Sheringham on the advantages of playing at home: “I think the first couple of games in the league will seem like neutral grounds for everybody. But the more games we do play, the more we hope to turn it as a fortress for ATK and our fans.”

FC Pune City

Stallions’ gaffer Ranko Popovic will, in all likelihood, line up his team in his preferred 3-4-3 formation, making use of the width and the midfield.

Goalkeeper: Kamaljit Singh

Defenders: Gurtej Singh, Rafael Lopez Gomez, Adil Ahmed Khan

Midfielders: Lalchhuanmawia Fanai, Marcos Tebar, Jonatan Lucca, Sarthak Golui

Forwards: Marcelo Pereira, Emiliano Alfaro

Stallions’ coach Ranko Popovic on his tactics and mindset ahead of the game: “As a team, we have to work both defensively and offensively. Obvious mistakes, I tell you are individual. This is not something from the tactics and happens to the best. We must try to play together until the end.”

KEY STATS

• FC Pune City was the first team ever to beat ATK, when they won 3-1 at Kolkata in the inaugural fixture
• ATK has beaten Pune only once, and thus the Stallions are the team that ATK has the worst head to head record against
• Last season, Pune was only one of the two teams to have beaten ATK, following their 2-1 win at home

LAST MEETING

ATK 0 – 0 FC Pune City (2^nd December 2016 at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium, Kolkata)