Interview with Roberto Carlos: Delhi Dynamos will take the ISL by storm

With the Delhi Dynamos, Carlos hopes to take the ISL by storm

As coach of the Delhi Dynamos-Roberto Carlos walked in to the Jawahar Lal Stadium in Goa, there was this growing buzz regarding his availability for tomorrow’s ISL opener. The Brazilian world cup winner had a finger strapped and in the minutes which preceded his interaction with the media, speculative murmurs were overheard in plenty. He was quick to play it down though, “It’s on my finger, you see I play my football with my left leg!”

Elaborating on his participation, he added, “I will see if and when I have to bring myself in. Like Materazzi did last year with Chennaiyin, I will ensure that I use myself judiciously. Maybe I wont play at left back though, even in pre-season, I came on as a substitute for Hans Mulder in midfield; might do the same during the tournament.”

Maintaining that the Dynamos will deploy an attacking approach, he asserted, “It’s not even a question if or not we will play attacking football. With a squad such as ours, we ought to do that.”

The Delhi Dynamos arguably have the best attacking line up in the league and from what we could gather from the gaffer’s anecdotes, footvolley legend Vinicius, last season’s captain Mulder, former Chelsea and France legend Florent Malouda and Brazilian Gustavo Dos Santos will start in a 4-pronged midfield.

Loanee from West Bromwich Albion-Adil Nabi and India international Robin Singh shall start upfront. Commenting upon the newly forged partnership, Carlos said, “From what I have seen so far, they really compliment each other. While Nabi is stout and swift, Robin is tall and can prove to be a handful, especially in aerial duels.”

The World Cupper will be pitted against fellow Brazilian-Zico tomorrow

It wouldn't be an easy task for the two of them however, as the Goa defence, led by their marquee player and another Braizlian-Lucio seems extremely formidable.

Coached by the man who was once referred to as “White Pele”, the team from the smallest Indian state will indeed pose a formidable challenge to Carlos’ men. Talking about tomorrow’s fixture, the former Galactico was reverent for his countrymate, “FC Goa is coached by Zico, who was not just my coach at Fenerbahche in Turkey but also a father-figure to me. This match is not just a clash between a student and teacher, but also a father and son.”

Goa wont be easy but as Carlos mentioned Delhi has prepared hard and come tomorrow, will be ready to take the league by storm.