FC Pune City head coach David Platt was at the Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday and witnessed Atlético de Kolkata’s 4-0 thumping win against FC Goa, and ahead of the Stallions’ Hero Indian Super League Season 2 game against the defending champions on Friday, the Englishman was hopeful that the lessons picked as a spectator on Sunday will stand his team in good stead.

“I saw where they won 4-0 so they weren’t very weak, were they? I think it’s going be a difficult game. The period of time between our two games gave me the opportunity to watch them play and it’s better to understand the opposition live rather than watching them on television,” Platt told reporters on Thursday.

The Stallions had a great start to their campaign having registered four wins in their first six matches, but just two points from their last five encounters have put them in a big spot of bother as regards their semis chances. Platt admitted returning to the top 4 in the standings won’t be a cakewalk.

“Of course, it’s a challenge. They [ATK] have got two games left and we have got three. We are all even. Every game throws up a new scenario. ATK are in a very good run of form, in their own stadium. It’s a challenge we look forward to. The league is tight, you get back-to-back wins and before you know it you are back into it,” he said.

Platt also provided an update on the fitness status of his team. “Unfortunately Gouramangi [Singh] is out with injury. He has been good and crucial for our team and it’s a loss for us. Sushant [Mathew] is still recovering from his injury from the match against Delhi,” he said.