Delhi Dynamos coach Gianluca Zambrotta was ‘proud of his team’, despite their semi-final exit at the hands of the Kerala Blasters. The yellow army brushed Delhi Dynamos FC aside, as they secured a second leg victory to guarantee a place in the final. At the final whistle, Delhi were leading 2-1, but due to the aggregate scoreline and Kerala's 1-0 victory in the first leg, a penalty shoot-out took place.
Kerala eventually clinched the tie and will meet Atletico de Kolkata in the final.
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Zambrotta meanwhile has no qualms over his team's performance and subsequent exit. “I am proud of my team and we have played an amazing match today and it was not easy playing with ten people and I am very proud of the players and staff.”
The manager was questioned over his decision of replacing top goal-scorer Marcelinho with Bruno Pelissari during the second half of extra-time, and the Italian stood by his decision. “Marcelinho had a bit of an injury and that was a bit of a problem and that’s why I substituted him with Pelissari.”
Looking back at Delhi's season, the manager believes that they club had a 'terrific season'. He also plans to sit down with the owner and discuss the club’s future.
“I think it was a very good season for Delhi Dynamos and I am very satisfied with the way the players played throughout the season and we scored the maximum number of goals.
“That was important and the first thing I told the players after we lost today, I told them, ‘thank you for a terrific season and I am very proud of you.’
“About the next year, the first step is to forget what happened today and I am very happy with this experience and I have to speak with the owner of the team regarding the project for the future.”
Kerala deserved the win
Kerala Blaster's head coach, Steve Coppell believes that his team completely deserved the win for all their incredible work-ethic.
“I thought our best shot at winning the game was in normal time and that left us a bit vulnerable at the back, and in extra time there wasn’t really much going on and then it was down to the penalties. Did we deserve to win? I think over the two games we did, it was very close and respect to Delhi.
“Their players have been superb throughout the season and they played with ten men for such a long time but still there were well organised and still had a cutting edge, so compliments to them and to my players for hanging in there and the penalties were dramatic and we are grateful to be there."
The manager was also questioned as to how he felt about being in the final and facing Kolkata.
“We are grateful and happy to be in the final and we have got to do all the protocols to recover and get set for the final and the team was in the final in the first year and [left] an unfinished business and we hope we can put a good show against Kolkata, the only team to make nine changes over the two legs of the semis.
“That shows the depth in their squad and that is nothing but respect and we have got one suspension [Josu] and it will be a difficult task for us to recover as 24 hours make a big difference that gives them [ATK] an edge but our edge is the crowd and the crowd gives us wings.”
He also discussed playing the second leg away from home and the final in Kochi. “I think the league is making it difficult for us to be honest and this [semi-final second leg] should have been played in Kochi and if we won in Kochi, then we would already be there waiting for the final and now we have got to travel back and there are no hotel rooms in Kochi, so we are stuck here for a bit, so the league has made it very difficult for us and we have to overcome that. “
Kerala Blasters are now set to face Atletico De Kolkata in the finals to be held at Kochi.
