David Trezeguet feels that the Hero Indian Super League offers a great opportunity for Indian players to step up and show their worth and even move up to the next level. The FC Pune City marquee player made these observations during an informal media interaction today on the eve of the second round match between his team and Mumbai City FC in Navi Mumbai tomorrow.“Our way of play shows the midfield Indian players more in the limelight. Ashutosh (Mehta), (Mehrajuddin) Wadoo, Manish (Maithani) and Lenny (Rodrigues) have to show themselves more and take that step ahead that will help them go to championships not only in India but also elsewhere,” Trezeguet said.The 37-year-old ace French striker said a lot of improvements have already been effected in several aspects of the Indian players’ games – technical, tactical and physical. “This is a great window for them and a great opportunity as even Europe is following the ISL,” he said.The Juventus legend and World Cup winner with France in 1998 promised that there would be improvement in Pune City’s game after being held to a goalless draw by Delhi Dynamos FC in their opening game in the national capital. “It is evident that defensively we can play well but offensive play was lacking. Definitely, we will be trying to improve and get more players upfront when we are on the attack. It was just the first game so let’s see what comes next,” Trezeguet stated, while speaking in Italian with the help of an interpreter.In general, Trezeguet felt that “the more the teams will play, the more ideas will come together, the less will be the mistakes and the players will also begin to gel at this level of football”. “It is part of the game. Time will help the players and the ISL itself,” he explained.Asked whether he and his teammates had adapted to the sultry conditions now prevalent across the country, Trezeguet said they were slowly coming to terms with it. “At the beginning we have to adapt to many situations, different cultures, different lifestyles. But we are a strong group. We have to travel a lot to the games, different venues. Things are going well and it’s going to get easier day by day,” he observed.He accepted that it was “normal” that there were great expectations of him and other marquee players and all of them would try to live up to the expectations. “I and the others have come for the ISL to help Indian football and the players grow. We are the first line of players here. We have the responsibility and we will do all we can to help Indian football and hopefully others who come in the following years will do the same,” he concluded.
