Pune City head coach Franco Colomba was in an optimistic mood ahead of his side’s crucial clash against Kerala Blasters, while speaking to the press at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi. The coach believes that the game is a must-win game, but at the same time he was well aware that his side’s chances of progression depend not only on his team’s result, but also on what happens in other matches.“Well, the position of the teams is normal, because it is two good teams playing against each other. Kerala won at our home ground, because of which I have a lot of respect for them, but that is one game. I think it is equally possible of Kerala to go through as much as it is possible for us to go through because of the position we are in at the moment. There is a saying ‘it is not over until it is over’, and therefore I believe that our chances are not quite over just yet.”When asked if David Trezeguet was available for selection as he came on as a substituted in the 90th minute during the previous game, the coach was adamant that he wasn’t injured and was available for training. “We see that every match is different and it is difficult to say what the team is going to be until the day of the game, so I will know better tomorrow. And no David is not injured and we will have to see until tomorrow if he plays or not” added the coach.The former Bologna midfielder Colomba also praised the quality that their new recruit Jermaine Pennant adds to his team’s dynamics, and believes that having the former Liverpool winger adds more fluidity to Pune City’s attack. “Jermaine has good experience and his capacity for the game is important. Also, his overall play is good, but this is a team game and not about one individual. But Jermaine I believe adds that extra quality that can help us especially when we attack as a team.”The former Napoli coach was asked for his thoughts on the fact the last round of games are not all played at the same time. While conceding that he found this a bit odd, he credited the Hero Indian Super League organisers for running a successful tournament in its first year. “This is news that the last games of the season are not played on the same day and at the same time. I think this is the first year of the ISL and therefore it is ok, because the organisers, the coaches, the players, everybody can learn a lot from the first season with the ISL, which has been amazing!”
