Franco Colomba was a picture of calmness ahead of his side’s crucial encounter against NorthEast United FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati. Attending a brief press conference along with FC Pune City’s goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya, the Italian reflected positively on a string of good performances that have seen his side amass seven points from their last three games.“It has been an improved performance by our side. We have managed to get our act together in the last few games. The Hero Indian Super League (ISL) has been very unpredictable. Even though we got off to a poor start, our recent performances have given us an opportunity to qualify for the semi-finals,” the Italian head coach of the Deccan side said.Colomba was quick to refute suggestions that Pune City would be thinking about topping the table if they secure a win against NorthEast United post the stalemate in the Kolkata-Chennai tie. “No, I am not focussed on topping the table. I am focussed on progressing, game by game,” he stated. “I have respect for NorthEast United as a side. They are a strong team, especially at home, and cannot be taken lightly. I know that we have an opportunity to top the table, but I am more concerned about our performance on the pitch.”Colomba also stressed on the fact that his side had not performed at their best yet. “I think that match we played against Kolkata was a good game, but I still think we can do much better,” he opined. “Due to the pace of the ISL, we have to quickly adjust and acclimatise. Even European sides will find it hard to perform consistently when games come this thick and fast.”Pune custodian Bhattacharya credited the ISL and the facilities borne out of it for the vast improvement he was witnessing in himself and other Indian players, “I am grateful for the opportunity that the ISL has provided me. It is wonderful to have such a big platform to perform in. I see things getting brighter for India with the advent of the ISL,” the former Tata Football Academy graduate said.
