ISL 2017: Match 38, Kerala Blasters vs FC Pune City - Talking Points

Pune dominate first half, but fail to seal the game

Marcelinho (R) in action on Thursday

The first 30 minutes of this game felt less like a competitive fixture and more like a free training session for Pune City. This was a clash of two teams on opposite sides of the spectrum and it could not have been any more evident in the opening half an hour.

The Pune players found it ridiculously easy to saunter into the Blasters penalty area almost every single time they picked up the ball. There was nobody applying pressure on Pune's midfielders and forwards who took full advantage to run riot as Pune carved up the Blasters almost at will. It was almost like the Blasters realized they had to defend only once Pune were in the box.

Marcelinho put Pune ahead with a well-worked goal, but the visitors could have easily had a bigger lead had they maximized their chances. So many times they had the Blasters at their mercy, but ended up erring with the final ball or making the wrong decision in the box; Marcelinho himself was culpable on a few occasions.

The missed chances came back to bite them in the second half as the Blasters fought back to snatch a draw. Marcelinho also picked up a yellow card (his fourth overall) at the end for a petty foul that will see him miss the Stallions' next match away to Chennaiyin FC.