FC Pune City will target a top four finish in the ISL this season after failing to reach the top four in the previous two seasons. They will be without injured marquee player Eidur Gudjohnsen and midfielder Andre Bikey. Additional responsibilities will fall to Tato, Ndoye, and Oberman in Gudjohnsen's absence. Pune hired Antonio Habas as coach, who is known as a disciplinarian and likes his teams to play pressing football. Pune has an experienced squad including Apouel Edel, Bruno, and Indian players Lyngdoh, Ralte, Bheke, and Narayan Das. Their expected starting XI uses a 4-2-3

1. FC PUNE CITY
TeamStrength: FC Pune City would be targetting a top-four spot in the Indian Super League
(ISL) after their failed endeavours in the first two editions of the tournament rather they are one
of the three teams not make the top four in their attempts in previous years.
They would have to achieve this target without their injured marquee man Eidur Gudjohnsen
who had replaced Adrian Mutu as the marquee player from the previous edition. The former
Iceland international, who represented his country in Euro 2016 was expected to be their
mainstay in offence. Cameronian Midfielder Andre Bikey, nursing a tendon injury has also been
ruled out of the tournament.
Pune would now have to blood in replacements before their first match against Mumbai City FC
on October 3rd
.
Additional responsibilities would now be thrust on Spaniard Tato, Senegalese Ndoye and
Argentine Gustavo Oberman- in Gudjohnson’s absence.
Pune took bold and definitive steps to make a statement of intent ahead of the tournament by
arguably making their biggest recruit off the field in Spaniard Antonio Habas, who guided
Athletico De Kolkata to the trophy in 2014 and a top four finish last year.
That made him a much sought after asset for all the teams in the off-season before Pune
secured his signature to replace Englishman David Platt in exchange of a hefty fee package.
Habas has a reputation of a hard taskmaster and a strict disciplinarian, the former Valencia
coach likes to strike on counter attacks with is team defending as one and playing relentless
pressing football from their half.
Along with some exciting new foreign players in Jesus Tato, Ndoye, Gustavo Oberman and Pitu
Comedevall, Pune have experienced players in Apouel Edel and Bruno. The Stallions as they
are popularly known have quite a good ensemble of Indian talents in their rank Eugenson
Lyngdoh, Zodingliana Ralte, Rahul Bheke and Narayan Das, along with the expereinced and
talented Indian seniors like Sanju Pradhan, Gourmangi Singh and Izumi Arata.
Best XI for 2016/17 expected (4-2-3-1):Edel- Rahul Bheke, Eduardo Ferreira, Gourmangi
Singh, Narayan Das, Eugenson Lyngdoh, Bruno Arias/Pitu, Arata Izumi, Gustavo Oberman,
Jonatan Lucca/ Jesus Tato, Ndoye/Zurdo
Departures:Adrian Mutu, Tuncay Sanli, Pritam Kotal, Jackichand Singh, Israil Gurung, Govin
Singh, Sushant Mathew, Bikash Jairu, Fanai Lalrempuia, Gurjinder Kumar, Lalit Thapa,
Yendrick Ruiz, Steve Simonsen, Didier Zokora, Nicholas Shorey, James Bailley.
New signings: Eidur Gudjohnsen(out for season Injured), Andre Bikey (out for season Injured),
Rahul Bheke, Narayan Das, Apouel Edel, Eduardo Ferreira, Sanju Pradhan, Izumi Arata,
Gustavo Oberman, Mamo Ndoye, Bruno Arias, Pitu, Jonatan Lucca, Jesus Tato, Zurdo, Vishal
Kaith, Ralte, Augustine Fernandez.
DESCRIPTIONOF THE NEWSIGNINGS
Apouel Edel - Edel is a man on a mission as he w ants to complete a unique hat-trickof w inning three ISL titles w ith three
different teams. The Cameroon-born Armenian custodian w on the league title w ith Kolkata in the inaugural season in 2014 and also
w ith Chennayin FC last season.The 31-year-old wasone of the most sought after players for this season and the Stallions have
managed a huge coup to secure his services forthe third ISL season. He is an excellent shot-stopper and usually very reliable
under the post and w ould like to continue he is lucky Indian charmto the Stallions as w ell.
Zodingliana Ralte - The 21-year-old is one of the most highly-rated talents in Indian footballand has plied his trade w ith NorthEast
United and Delhi Dynamos in the past. Ralte w ho played as a w inger in the I-League for Shillong Lajong has been deployed as a
fullbackin ISL before. This season can be a breakthrough campaign for the youngster as he looks forward to attaining his first
senior cap for India.
Eduardo Ferreira - The new signing fromIranian Pro League has many expectations fromfans and club alike. The 32-year-old has
been playing first team football for 11 years and has now decided to take up a challenge of playing in India. He needs to forma
resolute partnership w ith Singh in order to forma solid pair as Habas' main priority has alw aysbeen discipline at the back.

2. Rahul Bheke - Bheke has been an integral member for East Bengal over the last couple of years and played a huge role for Kerala
Blasters last season. The 25-year-old willplay on the right flank w ith Andre Bikey suffering an injury before the start of the season.
Bheke needs to have a strong season to be in the reckoning for the Indian national team. Watch out for his long throw sinto the box
and pow erfulheaders and overlaps.
Gustavo Oberman - Born in Quilmes, Argentina, Gustavo Oberman is a technically gifted midfielder and comes from the
Argentinos Juniors youth setup. After making his debut in 2004, he moved to River Plate for one season before re-joining Argentinos
Juniors in 2006. He then enjoyed severalshort spells in Spain, Argentina and Romania and w as most recently seen plying his trade
in Chile w ith San Marcos. Oberman has also been capped at the under-20 levelby Argentina and w illbe making his Hero ISL bow
w ith FC Pune City in Hero ISL 2016.
Sanju Pradhan - Pradhan has already played under Habas at Kolkata and they now reunite at Pune City after Pradhan's spell w ith
NorthEast United last season. The 27-year-old is a versatile player and can play in midfield and also on the w ings as Habas w illlook
to deploy him on the flanks w ith the Stallions having many options in midfield.
Jesus Tato - Jesús Rodríguez Tato is a graduate of the famous La Masia academy in Barcelona. A versatile player, comfortable on
the w ings as wellas up front, he made his debut for Barcelona B in 2002. He has gone on to represent a host of other Spanish clubs
since and w as last seen on a footballpitch in Morocco, playing for Moghreb Atlético Tetuán. Tato has also been a part of the
Spanish side at the under-16 and under-20 levels. Hero ISL 2016 w ith FC Pune City w illbe the veteran Spaniard’s first taste of
footballin India.
Anibal Zurdo - AnibalZurdo Rodriguez is a veteran Mexican striker w ho began his career w ith Spanish outfit Guadalajara after
spending his formative years w ith La Liga giants Atlético Madrid Youth Academy. The tow ering centre-forwardthen w ent on to
represent numerous other Spanish and Mexican clubs over the course of his 15-year career. Hero ISL 2016 w ith FC Pune City w ill
be his first taste of footballin Asia and India.
Momar Ndoye - A youth product of European heavyweights Atlético Madrid, Momar Ndoye w ent on to represent Los Rojiblancos for
a brief spell. The 24-year-old Senegalese striker w illadd options to the Stallions' attacking force and is capable of tormenting
opposition defences with his pace. A physicalpresence up top, Ndoye's sharpness and energy with the ball at his feet w illhave a
major role to play for the Maharashtrian side.
Vishal Kaith - Having come through the ranks, playing for Himachal Pradesh, Vishal Kaith w as recruited by the AIFF to represent
the under-16 and under-19 national sides. He joined the AIFF Elite Academy in 2013 w here he furthered his development under the
guidance of a select panel of coaches. The promising and gifted young keeper then joined Shillong Lajong FC ahead of the 2014/15
Hero I-League season to kick-start his professionalcareer. Hero ISL 2016 w ith FC Pune City w illbe the youngster’s first taste of
India’s grandest footballing extravaganza.
Augustine Fernandes - A Goan w ith a passion for football, Fernandes started his career as a youth at SESA. He w ent on to
represent the senior team before earning a move to Goan giants Salgaocar SC. Fernandes has been a regular at the heart of
Salgaocar defence in the last five years. Salgaocar won the I-League title in the 2011-12 season and also the Federation Cup in the
same year. Durand Cup success also followedwith Fernandes integralto the club’s success story. He made his debut for India in
2015 under Stephen Constantine. Augustine played for Atlético de Kolkata in Hero ISL 2015 and also scored a goal against Mumbai
City FC. He is set to be reunited w ith former ATK head-coach, Antonio Habas in FC Pune City colours for Hero ISL 2016.
Narayan Das - Narayan Das is an immensely gifted left w ingbackwhoseunpredictability is a cause of consternation to rival
attackers. The Tata Football Academy alumnus is know n to quickly adapt to situations and can also venture up-field and score goals
as he did for Pailan Arrows against Prayag United and Sporting Clube de Goa in the I-League in late 2012.He has represented India
at the under-19 and under-22 levels in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers and graduated to the senior ranks for friendlies against Nepal
and Bangladesh. Das represented FC Goa in the first tw o seasons of the Hero ISL before switching allegiances to FC Pune City
ahead of Hero ISL 2016.
Yumnam Raju - The Manipur-born player impressed w ith his quiet efficiency forChurchillBrothers since making his I-League debut
in 2011. After a good spell w ith the Red Machines, he moved over to join the Red Lizards last year. The big Wayne Rooney and
Baichung Bhutia fan has a Hero I-League and a Federation Cup under his belt, both w on while playing for Churchill.He has also
scored in an AFC Cup match, against Singapore side Home United FC. Raju is a natural at left-backand represented NorthEast
United FC in Hero ISL 2015. He w illbe hoping to make the left-backspot his ow n in the upcoming season w ith the Stallions.

3. Arata Izumi - Born to an Indian father and a Japanese mother at Shimonoseki, Yamaguchiin Japan, Izumi came over to India and
chose to play for East Bengal in 2006. He then moved to Mahindra United in 2007 and later joined Pune FC w here he rose to
captain the side in the I-League. Arata’s professionalcareer tookroot in Singapore in 2005 w ith Albirex Nigata and soon earned a
reputation for his speedy movements. After the Singapore experience, Arata returned to Japan to join Mitsubishi Motors Muzushima
FC in the 2006 J-League.In the August of 2012, he achieved his cherished dreamof gaining Indian citizenship. He made his debut
for India in 2013. He w as also a member of the national team for the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup and the 2013 SAFF Championship.
Arata w astaken on board by Atlético de Kolkata for a sum of Rs 68 lakh in the Hero ISL 2015 auction. He scored five times and
provided one assist for ATK in Hero ISL 2015 and is set to be reunited w ith former coach Antonio Habas in Hero ISL 2016 after the
Spaniard w as appointed as the Stallions’ new head coach earlier this year.
Bruno Arias - Arias spent time at the Sevilla Academy and made three first-teamappearances before leaving in 2007. He then
helped Real Murcia earn promotion to La Liga. How ever, his best season for Murcia came in 2008-09 w hen the club w as backin the
second division, contributing 10 goals from midfield. He has since played in the Thai Premier League, w here he w on both league
and cup in 2013 w ith BuriramUnited.Arias is a good passer of the ball and has enjoyed stints w ith Delhi Dynamos FC and
NorthEast United FC previously. His third Hero ISL season w illsee him don FC Pune City’s orange and purple stripes.
Francis Fernandes - The nippy w inger learnt the tricks of his trade in Bogmalo, a sleepy village in South Goa. Progressing fromthe
under-19 ranks at Vasco SCto its senior team, Fernandes made a career-defining move to Salgaocar in 2006. Over there he
became their talismanic presence, helping them to some memorable triumphs in an eight-year stint. Primarily a right w inger, he is a
versatile player w ho can play on the left flankor as an attacking midfielder if the team requires it.His speed, trickery and intelligent
movements made him a regular w ith the Indian team in 2011. Fernandes’ trophy cabinet is replete w ith severalhonours and titles,
both domestic and international. He spent the first tw oseason of the Hero ISL w ith Delhi Dynamos FC, notching up three assists in
16 appearances. The pacey w inger willbe looking for more game time w ith FC Pune City in Hero ISL 2016.
Jonatan Lucca - The Brazilian-born defensive midfielder began his career w ith Sports Club Internacional before joining the famous
AS Roma youth set-up in Italy. He also spent time at Brazilian clubs Atletico Paranaense and Guaratingueta later. He made his
Hero ISL bow with FC Goa in 2015 and w as an integralmember of the Gaurs unit that finished as runners-up to Chennaiyin FC.
Lucca, w ho scored three goals and provided tw o assists, willbe looking to replicate his fine formw ith FC Pune City in Hero ISL
2016.
Pitu - A product from European heavyweight Barcelona's famed La Masia academy, 32-year-old Pitu will
be looking to take Hero ISL by storm. An intelligent ball playing midfielder and an astute reader of the
game, Pitu was handed his debut for Barcelona in 2006 by Frank Rijkaard. After failing to break through
the ranks for the Catalan giants, Pitu subsequently went on to represent numerous clubs in Spain. The
upcoming season with FC Pune City is set to be his first taste of football outside Spain. Head coach
Antonio Habas and the Stallions will be hoping that the veteran midfielder repays the faith shown in him
by churning out solid performances over the course of the season.
SQUAD 2016-17 Comments
GK- The number one spot without doubt will be the Apouel Edel with his experience and ability.
Arindam Bhattacharya as a second choice is an able replacement but look-out for Vishal Kaith
who can steal the march on the veterans specially due to his height and steady improvement as
a goalkeeper for Shillong Lajong during the I-League and exciting prospect to say the least. The
Stallions look to have covered all the bases as far as goalkeeping is concerned and looks very
solid and consistent in the last line of defence,
RB- Rahul Bheke will be the first choice for sure with his consistent performance for East
Bengal in the last few years, he also has a very good weapon in his large throws and marauding
runs down the flanks, if he does not get injured he will be an asset for the Stallions this season.

4. Raju Yumnam will be a good replacement for him if needed with the veteran Ravanan around to
lend some experience and stability to the position.
LB- Narayan Das will be the automatic first choice with Andre Bikey out for the season, Ralte
may have to double up as his replacement when needed, both the players are very talented and
have great potential but the team looks a little thin on this front and may have some surprises in
this position awaiting us as the Stallions may look to promote players from their academy if
there is any major injury scare.
CB- Well covered position, with Gourmangi Singh and Eduardo Ferriera as first choices and
Augustine Fernandes as their deputy though on paper looks thin in case of emergency but
otherwise if Singh and Ferriera can get their understanding on the same wave length teams will
find the Stallion Defence very hard to break through-out the tournament.
CM- Abundance of riches for the Stallions in the middle of the park this time and looks to be a
very solid unit. Habas would look to play with two deep lying medios as he tends to and Bruno
Arias and Eugenson will likely be the first choices with the defensive skills and experience of
Arias and the creativity and distribution of Eugenson working as a perfect foil, they have more
than able replacements in Pitu who can play across the midfield as well as Francis and Lenny.
The center of the park makes Habas spoilt for choices at-least on paper. Bruno can always be
replaced by Jonatan Lucca who can be equally effective in breaking and making a game from
midfield.
CP/COM- Gustavo Oberman will most likely be the first choice in this position with his creativity
and technical abiltity according to Habas he can change the game anytime with his distribution,
but he will face competition from the Spanish duo of Pitu and Tato who both can play acroos the
midfield with equal aplomb. This position looks equally impressive like the Central Midfield and
the Stallions look to have this covered as well.
RW- Arata Izumi and Sanju Pradhan will both be equal contenders for starting berth in this
position with both having the versatility of speed, skills, experience and crossing capabilities.
The added advantage is that both have played under Habas before and are well-versed with the
Spaniards style of play. The position looks balanced and well-covered again.
LW- The left flank will be amnned by the enterprising Tato or Ralte as and when needed. Tato
will be the first choice and can be lethal with his crosses and game sense. Ndoye can also do
the job if required.
FW- In the absence of Gudjohnsen, Zurdo and Ndoye will be responsible to score the goals for
the Stallions. Ndoye is known for his blistering pace so would be quite a handful for rival
defences and when you throw in the versatile Arata and Tato in the mix the forward line makes
quite a decent reading anf have the fire-power to score goals against defence in the ISL.
Overall the team looks pretty balanced on paper and would look to exorcise their ghost of the
past years and reach the top four at the minimum even without the Talismanic Gudjohnsen not
in the mix.
2016-17 FULL SQUAD LIST (Until 28th
September 2016)
GoalKeeper:Apouel Edel Bete, Arindam Bhattacharya, Vishal Kaith.
Defenders:Gourmangi Singh, Eduardo Ferreira, Augustin Fernandes, Dharmaraj
Ravanan, Rahul Bheke, Yumnam Raju, Narayan Das.
Midfielders:Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Arata Izumi, Lenny Rodrigues, Bruno Arias, Jonatan
Lucca, Gustavo Oberman, Sanju Pradhan, Jesus Rodrigues Tato, Pitu Comadevall,
Francis Fernandes, Zodingliana Ralte.
Forwards: Anibal Zurdo, Momar N’Doye.
_________________________________________________________________________
____
Have there been any management/coaching changes and what impact might they
have?

5. Yes. Jose Antonio Habas have replaced David Platt as a manager at the start of the season.
The team would most probably play a counter-attacking brand of football with high pressing and
would look to defend as a team.
Will their style be the same this season? More offensive/more defensive?
It looks clear that the 4-2-3-1 will be the base system of the team with high pressing football,
high intensity and swift counter attacks. It will be more offensive but with Habas expect a
compact brand of football from the team.
Was last season’s finishing position a fair reflection of performances through the
season?
Last season the team started off well but lost their way on their travels and finished a poor
seventh even though the team had considerable fire-power. The team travelled very poorly
during last season and Habas will surely have this in mind and build a compact team to travel
well as consistency has been his hall-mark of his management from the first two seasons.
Are there currentlyany problems at the club on or off the pitch which may
impact on this season? No off field problems as such but the ruling out of Gudjohnsen and
Bikey at the last moment may have hampered their strategy and preparations and they also
have to rope in two new faces at short notice which can make the strategy go hay-wire but with
Habas at the helm no major problems are foreseen except for his abrasive nature which will
keep him banned from the touchline as he will be serving out a four match touchline ban carried
from last season which may impact the team initially.
Any players returning from long-term injuries- if so then what kind of shape are
they in?
No there has not been any returning players from injuries in the team.
Any players who have shown signs of big improvements over the summer (maybe
young players breaking through)?
LB/LW Ralte can be the surprise package of the tournament and can surprise quite a number of
people if he can do justice to his talent and remain focused.
LB Narayan Das is a talented LB and can shine through-out the tournament and can be the dark
horse to watch out for.
RB Rahul Bheke will also be of interest as he looks to bring his consistency and form from East
Bengal to the Stallions which will be a big fillip for the team.
CM Eugenson Lyngdoh has been a consistent performer for both Bengaluru FC and the Indian
NT and had a relatively quite ISL last time around would look to make amends this time with
more authoritative and game changing performances this time around.
What expectations do you, the fans and the club have this season?
I think FC Pune City has the team on paper and this year maybe the year they break into the top
four with some consistent displays.
The objective for coaching staff, management, supporters,… is to win the title, of
course.
How has pre-season gone, have results/performances been as expected?
As a part of theirpre-seasontrainingandconditioning,the RajeshWadhawanGroupandHrithikRoshan
co-ownedFCPune City“The Stallions”hadtheir preparationsforthe 2016 seasonatVincci Valdecanas
nearMadrid, Spainunderthe watchful eyesof headcoachAntonioLopezHabas.Theydidnot playany
practice matchesas such and concentratedonstaminabuilding, fitnessandworkedonnigglesand
playerweaknessesif any.Itwasan intensive31day pre-seasonwithemphasizeonfitnessbuildingand
buildingof winningmentalityandstamina.
Have there been any significant alterations to the stadium or pitch?
They will play their home matches at Shree Shiv Chatrapati Sports Complex stadium also
known as the Balewadi stadium and will have a capacity of about 12,000.
Average attendance could be about 10K to 12K.