Pune City, FC Goa look for fresh starts

PUNE: FC Pune City will look to make the most of their first home game and Robert Pires' absence due to suspension when they take on FC Goa on Sunday night. "It's our first home game. We want to give a good performance. We have a week's training behind us and we are ready," said FC Pune City coach Franco Colomba of Italy.
To change their fortunes, FC Pune City will have to do a lot better than their last showing against FC Mumbai City in Navi Mumbai last week.Forget the scoreline (0-5), they just need to get their basic defence in place. Both Pune and Goa are at the bottom of the table with one point each. While Pune have not scored a goal so far, Zico's Goa have managed to score one each in all three games.
On Pires' suspension, Brazilian legend Zico said: "I hope it does not affect the team. He is a key player. But then, it's not about one player. It's about the whole team."
Colomba said: "It's a pity that Pires is not playing. He was one of David's (Trezeguet) teammate and ISL will miss him."
Pune held Dynamos FC 0-0 in their opener before the humiliating loss at DY Patil stadium. While the team looked in fine nick, the manner in which they conceded the goals suggests shoring up of the defence line. Colomba will consider reinforcements to plug the silly errors.
One player who stands out in the crowd is Pune medio Lenny Rodrigues. The lanky Goan toils hard in creating openings and assisting the frontline. His understanding with the strikers is a pleasure to watch. He is bound to play a crucial role in Sunday's match. However, for the moment, finding back of the net remains a worrying factor.
Over to the nous and nose for goals.
FORM BOOK
FC Pune City: drew with Delhi Dynamos 0-0 (away); lost to FC Mumbai City 0-5 (away)
FC Goa: lost to Chennaiyin FC 1-2 (home); drew with North East United FC 1-1 (away); lost to Atletico de Kolkata 12 (home)
THE FACE-OFF
FC Pune City
Strengths: Quality players in frontline and a robust defence. They believe in counterattacks and have rehearsed the same well in practice matches.
Weaknesses: Silly leaks in defence.
Key Players: David Trezeguet, Bruno Cirillo.
Watch out for: Lenny Rodrigues's nippy passing in midfield and Bruno Crillo's solidity in central defence.
FC Goa
Strengths: Flow and precision in open play. Regular raids and cohesion in passing.
Weaknesses: Sloppy finishing. Midfield needs to provide more assists.
Key Players: Jan Seda, Ranti Martins.
Watch out for: Gregory Arnolin's defence and Clifford Miranda's prolific feeding. Ranti Martins in the forward line.