Delhi Dynamos : Alessandro del Piero And The Road Ahead

Although Delhi Dynamos have impressed in their inaugural season so far, there might be a small case of tactical switch which could even more enhance the side, which tasted their first defeat against FC Goa recently. After five matches the Delhi contingent sit fourth, with six points on their chart, comfortable – as per FC Pune City and Kerala Blasters. The side has regularly impressed with its brand of football and features midfielder Hans Mulder, who pulls the strings.

The side which boasts Italian legend Alessandro del Piero, has often started with a 4-3-3 a 4-3-1-2 and even a 4-4-2.Ai??Formations are perhaps one of the key integrals in the game of football, and even a slight alteration could lead to better or worse performances. Now apart from a solid defense which has Wim Raymaekers and Anwar Ali as it’s lynch pins, the Delhi side also has a decent pivot like scenario, which features Hans Mulder and Bruno Arias. Although, the striking department is still governed by an off-color Italian, which we will discuss later, the wings consist of Shylo on the left and Francis Fernandes or Steven Dias on the right.

Steven Dias has given a good impression of himself for Delhi Dynamos

Zooming into the right wing, the Delhi Dynamos feature Francis Fernandes and Steven Dias, both of which are good ball players, but differAi??largely in style and pay load delivery. While Francis Fernandes comes inside with the ball, Steven outcasts himself deep into the wings. In a typical scenario of two different wingers, the Delhi Dynamos have stuck gold. But which is better, which suits there play most? Obviously, the answer to this is not as simple as it seems. Both Francis and Steven, are two of the most experienced player in Indian Football and boast numerous caps to their name.

Francis Fernandes is a player who is a workhorse. He will track players back, he will run forward and he basically will cover ground. Although Fernandes, lacks the important-crosses, he makes up with his hardworking abilities. Moreover, Francis likes to cut inside with the ball, as Delhi Dynamo’s coach Harm van Veldhoven also pointed. Operating in a 4-2-3-1 for the Indian National Team, Francis chopped the ball in and often crossed the ball. Another trait of his is, if he delivers the ball is that he runs straight to the bi-line for lashing the ball in. Perhaps, operating Francis in a 4-2-3-1 is the best possible option to gain the maximum from the Goan. Hustling and harassing defenders, Francis could prove to be pivotal in a three men attack force behind the striker, while often running to the bi-line to deliver crosses. Although 4-2-3-1 might accommodate Francis, it might not be the way forwards for the Delhi side.

The Indian David Beckham, as he is dubbed, Steven Dias is perhaps one of the best crosser of the ball, in Indian football. The 30 year is known for his lashing deliveries, and has proved so, in Delhi’s game vs Chennaiyin, wherein he delivered a beautiful ball for Mads Junker to score. Dias, looks to be the theoretical answer of the Delhi side, as he has Junker and Skoubo upfront.Both Junker and Skoubo, are known for their Ariel prowess and heading abilities, Ai??with the former displaying his heading skills often. Steven Dias, although lacks in the department where Francis excels. Dias, who is traditional right winger, rarely tracks back and his antics were clear against NorthEast United, wherein he often vacated space for either Tomas Josl or Robin Gurung to capitalize on. A slight advantage which Dias has over Francis, is that his best performances have often come in a 4-4-2, which might be the way forward for the Delhi side.

A 4-4-2, often relies on its wingers and its powerful forwards. Evidently, Junker and Skoubo have stuck a chord, with each other. The problem now lies with the Left Wing as the Right could be Steven Dias made, while deploying Naoba Singh – a traditional right back, behind him, to constrict space vacated by the former. The Left wing could feature Shylo, who has been average so far. Shylo, is mostly operating as a Left Forward in a 4-3-3 in the current Dynamos side, reverting to a 4-4-2, will not only give him an edge to cover ground, but also would help him to make those darting runs forward, which somehow are restricted in a 4-3-3. Now with the two man striker partnership consisting of Junker and Skoubo, marquee player Alessandro del Piero eludes the side. As it is, del Piero has not been a pivotal figure within the Dynamos side, and as strange as it may seem, has done nothing ‘special’. The Italian, has had some horrendous outings recently. Perhaps, to start with del Piero, could lead Delhi to play with a man down, as the 40year old rarely does the ‘dirty work’ of football. A 4-4-2 which could revert to a 4-4-1-1 later in the game, with del Piero slotting in as a creative midfielder, might be the way ahead for the Delhi side, as it easily capitalize Delhi’s strengths – Striker physicality alongwith decent crosses in.

As theoretical as it may seem, perhaps the 4-4-2 is the best possible way for Delhi to grow. Manandeep Singh, who has been warming the Delhi benches so far, could also start alongside a more ‘mature’ Junker or Skoubo. With, Delhi losing its first match of the Super League season, changes as drastic as this might not be expected, as perhaps ‘dropping’ Alessandro del Piero, might take media casualties or tarn the image of the league, but to succeed harsh decisions have been taken by managers, and this decision of operating in a 4-4-2 while dropping del Piero, might drastically change Delhi’s performances.

PictureAi??Courtesy: ISL Media Team

Tags: Delhi Dynamos Indian Super League

Delhi Dynamos : Alessandro Del Piero, 4-4-2 And The Road Ahead

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