FC Pune City outclassed local rivals Mumbai City FC by a 2 – 0 score-line in Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 at the Mumbai Football Arena on Sunday. Diego Carlos and Marcelinho scored in either half as the Stallions consolidated second position in the league standings. Addressing the media during the post-match press conference was Pune’s head coach Ranko Popovic and he admitted that it was a tough encounter given he had changed the structure of his squad.

“We won, but it was not easy playing against them (Mumbai City FC),” the Serbian remarked. “We were playing against a very professional team. We had to change our composition, and for that we had to take risks. We put (Emiliano) Alfaro, our best striker on the bench and we still scored goals. This proved that we are a team. We play together and win together.”

The 50-year-old also singled out Marcelinho’s performance. “We are happy to have Marcelinho in our squad,” he stated. “He cannot do everything, but today he made a difference.”

Popovic also mentioned the mentality with which Pune approached the game. “The target was to keep the ball,” he revealed. “We know how dangerous they are. They have some fantastic and very deadly players who can decide the game. But the point was to play as a team and keep possession. Everyone has the same importance in the team.”

Finally, he also praised the atmosphere that came with the ‘Maha’ derby. “It is always nice to win such a game,” Popovic said. “This is obviously a derby. It is a fantastic ambience here. There are supporters from both sides coming together and it’s a really good picture.”