Carlos plays down scoring woes, says "goals will come at right time"

Chicao & Carlos from an earlier Press Conference (Image Courtesy ISL)

Four home games and the Dynamos from Delhi have managed to guard their fortress with much gusto. Alarmingly though, after a dazzling win against Chennaiyin, all Roberto Carlos’ men have managed is eek out draws, that too with pretty much less or no conviction. In their next fixture, they host FC Pune City and while they will be buoyed by the fact that David Platt coached side havent yet listed a win on the road, they would also know that with both teams level on points currently, even a draw for the visitiors would be deemed a positive result.

Addressing the media thus ahead of the match, the gaffer and senior player Chicao emphasised on getting the basics roght and not worrying about the results amongst other things.

Excerpts:

Hello, the team has now played out a series of draws. What accoriding to you has been missing for the win?

Chicao- I’ve noticed that teams are struggling to play at home. We won away games and when we came back, it was harder. We have to have more attitude in our home games, need to be more offensive. Our coach has been demanding this from us, to improve and get a win at home. And for us foreigners, we have to take more responsibility and do our best to win.

In that case, why do you think teams are struggling at home?

Chicao- Cant pintpoint on anything but I think we sort of need more exposure. The teams play on counter-attack so we open more opportunities for them. That’s how we won away as well. But as i said, we need more aggression and attitude.

Coach, would you agree with this?

Carlos: 100%

A win today can take you to the semi-finals. How important as that?

Carlos- For me, I won’t be worried. Tomorrow, we know we have to get on the pitch and get the win. The problem is sometimes we are unlucky and we can’t convert. But my team is doing the best to win. But we have to be a little patient. They got to play, that’s it.

The Dynamos have scored the least number of goals so far in the league. Is that an area of concern for you guys?

Carlos- None. The goals will come at the right time.

A word on the current crisis in football with the attacks and matches being suspended?

Carlos: It’s a shame that so many innocent people are dying. It obviously makes us sad. The world is kind of lost. I don’t understand how people can do this. I can’t express my grief.

Also, whats the thinking behind keeping four captains?

Carlos- It’s something we tried at Corinthians. II have Chicao, Riise, Malouda and Mulder. Anas and Robin are leaders and will also get a chance to captain later. It’s a good way to divide the responsibility and it also helps to motivate the players to be leaders. I think it’s good for the environment of the squad. There is Toni as well, though I haven’t given him the armband because we already have so many captains. I think it has worked so far. [Laughs] I am not crazy!

Didier will be using his experience of knowing you from Turkey, against you tomorrow.

Carlos- He is a very good player. He was my player there, and he is a great professional. If i have the opportunity, we would play in two separate matches and won’t get close to each other. I have the same goals as him, to get to the playoffs. And let the best player win. We will play at home in front of our amazing supporters and we will chase those three points because it is obviously very important.