Ahead of their Hero ISL 2016 game against Atlético de Kolkata, Delhi Dynamos FC head coach Gianluca Zambrotta knows very well that the Lions are up against a formidable opponent at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium on Saturday evening. Delhi and ATK are sailing in the same boat after picking six points from their four matches so far, and Zambrotta believes it will take a special performance from his side to tame the 2014 Hero ISL winners.“Atlético de Kolkata are a very good team and play very well. It will not be an easy match for us. Of course, in the Hero ISL there are a lot of opportunities [even after tomorrow’s match], so it will be too early to say anything but yes it is a very important match for us,” the Italian told reporters on Friday.Zambrotta took charge of the team earlier this year amid raised expectations after the Lions made their maiden semi-final appearance under Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos last year. When asked what attracted him to the Hero ISL, Zambrotta said: “I didn’t have a second thought as regards coming here and coaching in India. India has a good opportunity to grow in the right way. It is very important that we have good coaches as well as foreign players here because in a few years it will be a very competitive league. Hence, I didn’t have to think much about making this decision.”“The difference between the Hero ISL and La Liga or Serie A… there is a considerable difference. But the positive thing is that the Hero ISL is growing very well. So in a few years down the line, it will be on the same level as Serie A, La Liga or any other league,” the former Juventus and Barcelona star added.Zambrotta also gave his opinion on the ongoing debate stirred up by NorthEast United FC head coach Nelo Vingada that the Hero ISL should allow seven Indians and four foreigners to make up the playing XI to help Indian football grow at a faster rate. The current guidelines, however, allow six foreigners and five Indians. “At the moment the balance is very good. But it is very important the way you choose players and coaches as per the level of play. You need to ensure that the quality remains [as it has been over the last two seasons]. At the moment, it is well-balanced,” Zambrotta said.
