ISL 2015: Atletico de Kolkata 0-1 Delhi Dynamos- Five talking points

Gustavo scored the match-winner in the final minute of stoppage timeAtletico de Kolkata extended their losing streak to three games now as they were beaten by a solitary goal against Delhi Dynamos at the Salt Lake Stadium. It was a 93rd-minute goal by Gustavo Dos Santos that turned out to be the match-winner and thus further extending misery on the Kolkata side who now find themselves in the bottom three places.The win takes the side from the capital into second place, level on points with FC Pune City but behind on goal difference. For Antonio Habas and his side, stay sixth, having played six games so far.Dynamos who were down to ten men in the second half continued to pile on the pressure, and in the end it was the tired legs of the home side that gave up against the pace of the Delhi wingers allowing Gustavo to tap in from close range.The game also saw the return of Dynamos's marquee star Roberto Carlos who came on as a second-half substitute, but the Brazilian’s lack of match fitness was evident as he failed to leave a mark on the game.Here we look at the five talking points from the game.

#1 Kolkata missing a potent goal threat upfront

Last season’s champions started the second season of Indian Super League (ISL) with high intensity as they beat Chennaiyin FC, putting three past them away from home. But since the opening day fixture, the side from Kolkata have looked rather bleak in attack registering a mere three goals in the next five games.

While marquee signing Helder Postiga stole the show against Marco Materazzi’s men, his absence since then has seen Habas’s side miss a genuine goal threat upfront with none of Baljit Sahni, Jewel Raja or star signing Iain Hume proving to be of much help against the opposition defenders.

Though the Canadian striker has done turned provider on three occasions in the season so far, Kolkata’s string of missed chances have now seen them give away valuable points against Delhi Dynamos and NorthEast United in the previous game.

Even against ten-men Dynamos, the home side looked rather short of ideas upfront and their lack of creativity and goal scoring opportunities saw the away side capitalise and come up with their own towards the end of the game.

The side garnered eight shots on goal but apart from a couple none really tested Antonio Doblas in the Delhi goal. The midfield too looked short of creativity despite Delhi’s defense giving them numerous chances to attack.

#2 Dynamos maintain impressive away record

Delhi Dynamos end their consecutive away trips with a massive win against last season’s champions at the Salt Lake Stadium. The victory takes their tally to four in total and 3 away from home in five games.

Sitting comfortably now in second place, Dynamos are indeed one of the favourites to progress to the latter stages of the competition as they play four away fixtures in a row now, starting with NorthEast United.

The win comes as a massive boost for Roberto Carlos who took the gamble of going with a more attacking lineup against a well organised Kolkata side but his side adjusted well to the conditions and took advantage of the wider field, allowing the wingers to make full use of the space provided to them.

With no injury concerns and the marquee signing returning on the field as well, Dynamos indeed look the most stable side of all the eight teams and now it is important they don’t let their guard down midway into the season.

#3 Lack of goals a concern for Delhi

While the Delhi Dynamos sit pretty at the top of the table, the only concern for the Roberto Carlos managed side will be the lack of goals they have scored so far. The goal difference count reads as zero and having scored just five goals in six games, Carlos must look to find a solution to this recurring problem.

Even against Kolkata, despite creating numerous opportunities there was hardly any reward barring the last minute goal by Gustavo Dos Santos. Amrinder Singh was tested on numerous occasions by the likes of Malouda and Gadze but the Indian custodian was well matched at all times.

Robin Singh for all his early season promise looks to have faded away now as the opposition defenders have done well to prevent him from making an impact of any sort. The side opted to play two forwards, but Gadze who has worked well as a super substitute previously failed to impress when handed over a start.

Florent Malouda too had two excellent clear-cut chances to win the game, but on both the occasions his finishing touches were poor, granting Kolkata with a much-needed lifeline. While there is no shortage of creativity in the side, it is the finishing now that Carlos needs to find an answer to.

#4 Kolkata missing last season\'s grit and determination

A man up and playing at your home stadium, everything was in favour of Atletico de Kolkata, but still the Sourav Ganguly co-owned side succumbed to a last-gasp goal by Delhi Dynamos.

This was a sight one would not associate with last season as despite not being the most creative team on the pitch, Kolkata rode on their team spirit and grit to be crowned the champions.

This season, though, there seems to be a different story as the side has looked short of options in the attack in the absence of their marquee signing and even in the midfield, where last season they were the dominant force, they have been over-run on countless occasions this time around.

Antonio Habas who for all his criticism last season turned things around now needs to wave his magic wand once again should Kolkata look to make it into the top four places. With three points behind FC Goa, Kolkata have all to do to turn the table around.

#5 Gustavo proves his worth for Dynamos

Over the past few games, there have been question marks being raised on the form of Gustavo Dos Santos and why the Brazilian is unable to recreate the magic of last season. While the on-loan Atletico Paranese star was dropped for the first game, he did come back into the lineup starting on all previous occasions.

The winger though hardly did justice to his position over the last few games and was the first one to be called back by Roberto Carlos who looked towards Richard Gadze in search for a goal. This time around the story changed hands as it was the introduction of the 21-year old winger that turned the tables for the away side.

His pace and guile wrecked havoc on the Kolkata defense who with their tired legs couldn’t match the speed of the winger. He blazed past them and created a golden chance for Florent Malouda to win the game five minutes before time, but the Frenchman’s shot was well blocked.

The Brazilian though eventually found himself in the right place at the right time to slot home the winner in the 93rd minute, providing three valuable points to Delhi Dynamos.

With a more familiar territory of the capital coming in the next four games, Gustavo now needs to rekindle the love affair with the home supporters and show a bit more consistency in his football.