ISL: Trezeguet, Kostas finally come good as FC Pune beat Goa for first win

It took a tactical overhaul, four changes and Kostas Katsouranis and David Trezeguet finally coming good for FC Pune City to record their first win of the Indian Super League — piling more misery on FC Goa — who are still win-less after playing four matches. Franco Colomba set his team out in a more conventional 4-4-1-1, with Ivan Bolado playing off Trezeguet and Kostas given the freedom to drive forward. He also brought back Daniele Magliocchetti at centre-back and Anupam Sarkar at left-back — both defenders brilliant when soaking up pressure from FC Goa. Tricky winger Israel Gurung also started — cutting in from the left to continuously trouble Goa’s defence. [caption id=“attachment_1773411” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Kostas Katsouranis of FC Pune City celebrates after scoring the first goal against FC Goa[/caption] The result of these changes was a gritty win where they dug out a goal in each half. It was Kostas who was at the end of a lobbed lay-off from Magliocchetti after Goa had half-cleared a free-kick from the right channel — the former Greece skipper thumping it into the net in the 42nd minute. The home team doubled their lead when Trezeguet ran through after a woeful back-pass from Gregory Arnolin — the Juventus legend showing that he may have lost a few yards but not his finishing skills. The World Cup winner had ample time in a one-on-one situation, but waited for the keeper to shift a little before curling it into the back of the net. But Pune’s win didn’t come easy. Goa pushed forward regularly, and even hit the woodwork twice — both Andre Santos efforts from distance. The difference however, was that Pune played like a team with great intensity — their deep defensive line aided with a midfield and forward contingent that dropped to defend in numbers. Such was their resolve in not letting a goal in that they had all ten outfield players marking a man during Goa’s corners. Even Trezeguet, who had hardly made a contribution so far, was seen falling back to the centre of the pitch — allowing the faster and more agile Gurung and Ashutosh Mehta to run into spaces behind. Goa clearly missed a midfielder who could control the tempo of the game. Kostas and Lenny Rodrigues dominated from the off, slowing the game down when they sensed danger and controlling the tempo of the match throughout. In all fairness, Pune should have been more than 1-0 up at half-time but failed to find the final pass numerous times — something that Colomba will still need to rectify against better teams. The second half was more exciting, with Goa pushing up, but Bruno Cirillo and Sarkar were like two walls bouncing off every opportunity that the visitors managed to create. Zico’s team were dealt a big blow when they had to take Gabriel Fernandes off in the 16th minute after the winger was injured. Gabriel has been their best player and losing him probably took the edge off a team which was already missing Robert Pires due to a disciplinary ban. But their forwards Miguel Herlein and Bruno Pinheiro created a couple of half-chances — only to see what we’ve seen Goa do so far — not convert them. FC Pune City have now moved to 5th in the table after three games — leapfrogging Mumbai City FC. They next play Kerala Blasters on 30 October — a team which have just opened their points account after a draw against table-toppers Atletico de Kolkata. The Blasters have looked shaky at best so far — and with Pune’s confidence high and their two most established former internationals scoring, the orange and purple brigade will be favourites for that match.