ISL 2016: Antonio Habas' leadership a big plus for FC Pune City, but scoring goals still a problem

“We have to have a winning mentality. I have to convince the players immediately that we are going to win,” said Antonio Lopez Habas during his first interview as the FC Pune City coach in April this year. Habas has tasted considerable success in the ISL and arrives at FC Pune City having led Atletico de Kolkata to the title in 2014 and the semi-final last year. While Atletico reaped the benefits of a winning mentality instilled by Habas, FC Pune City flattered to deceive in the first two seasons. A sixth place finish in 2014 was followed by a worse performance the next year, when they finished seventh, and the need for having someone like Habas hasn’t been felt more. Apart from Habas, the Stallions have also brought in the title-winning player - goalkeeper Edel Bete. The Armenian has been a good luck charm for his former clubs and have inspired both Atletico de Kolkata and Chennaiyin FC to the title. [caption id=“attachment_3027176” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File photo of FC Pune City coach Antonio Lopez Habas.[/caption] FC Pune City certainly had one eye on Edel’s unique record while signing him but the towering keeper is more than a talisman, having kept six clean sheets last season - an ISL record. A disappointing ISL 2015: Having made sweeping changes to their side following a disappointing first season,  David Platt’s Stallions started off ISL 2015 on the front foot before having a dramatic fall, which meant they finished seventh, with just seven points. FC Pune City had the longest winless run last season, and the joint longest string of defeats when they lost four consecutive matches, as their season descended into a mess in the latter stages. Big signings like Jackichand Singh, Tuncay Sanli and Adrian Mutu faded towards the end, prompting the club management to effect another sweeping overhaul for the new season. Strengths: “If you win the midfield, you probably win the game,” Spain’s World Cup-winning midfielder Xabi Alonso stated in Simon Hughes’ book Ring of Fire. FC Pune City have done their bit to strengthen the midfield with some fine acquisitions. They have brought in the Brazilian midfield sensation Jonatan Lucca, who played at FC Goa earlier, and Arata Izumi, who played under Habas at Atletico de Kolkata last season, to win the midfield battle. Izumi scored five times for Kolkata last season and his presence alongside Lucca and Eugeneson Lyngdoh makes up a very strong midfield and opponents will be wary of the Orange and Purple brigade’s distinct advantage at the centre of the pitch. However, Lyngdoh will miss the opening few matches owing to his continental commitments with Bengaluru FC but his absence should be offset by Bruno Arias, who played at NorthEast United last season, and Spaniard Pitu Weaknesses: Scoring goals turned out to be a major problem area for the Stallions last season as they registered the league’s second-fewest total of 17 goals. Only Eugene remains of their seven goalscorers from 2015, and despite the addition of fresh blood in attack, there seems to be little respite from their woes in front of goal. Marquee signing Eidur Gudjohnsen has been ruled out for the season which now leaves the club’s attack in dire straits. Gudjohnsen’s injury means Momar Ndoye, who came through the ranks at Atletico Madrid, will have to bear the burden of scoring goals along with old hands like Jesus Tato, Gustavo Oberman and Anibal Rodriguez upfront. Things look bleak for the Orange-Purples in attack unless the likes of Eugene, Lucca and Izumi can match or improve their combined total of ten goals from 2015. Should Pune’s goal-scoring issues continue, they would be looking at another trophy-less season. However, Habas’ familiarity with the club’s multitude of Spanish as well as ex-Atletico de Kolkata players bodes well for the Stallions. “We have to be more cautious and not to be overconfident - those are the factors,” said goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya. FC Pune City won only once in the second half of the tournament in the last two seasons. A knack for tailing off during the latter stages has been their undoing so far and only an improved display throughout the course of the 14 matches could see the Stallions making a push for the semi-finals in the coming season. The Stallions have a relatively comfortable draw with five home matches in the first half of the season, but a tough run of five away matches in the second half could once again see them tread an all-too-familiar path, although expectations of the Orange Army state otherwise. Best XI (4-2-3-1): Edel Bete, Zodingliana Ralte, Rahul Bheke, Eduardo Ferreira, Narayan Das, Jonatan Lucca, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Arata Izumi, Sanju Pradhan, Bruno Arias, Momar Ndoye.