Kochi: Delhi Dynamos, the perennial underachievers of Indian Super League (ISL), would be seen employing ‘tiki-taka’ - the classic head-spinning passing game associated with Spanish football and, in particular, with FC Barcelona, under their new manager.
A former youth team coach at Barcelona, Josep Gombau, who replaced compatriot Miguel Angel Portugal, has made it clear that he would induce the possession-based football philosophy into his new team and hope that like Barcelona sides, Dynamos will also dominate and win matches regularly.
As expected, there has been a near-complete overhaul of the Delhi squad after they finished eighth in the 10-team league last year.
Spanish firepower
Going into the new season, they will be banking on the experience of their Spanish recruits who have proved their mettle for different sides in the LaLiga.
The 42-year-old Gombau, who also had coaching stints with Espanyol as well as Adelaide United and Western Sydney Warriors in the Australian A-League, has roped in four Spaniards for his new team.
Penetrating midfield
Adria Carmona, who came up through the youth ranks of Barcelona before being part of AC Milan and Girona FC, will be marshalling the center of the field for Delhi. Former Read Madrid player Marcos Tebar has returned for his second stint with them after having played for them in the 2016-17 season.
The 31-year-old defender Marti Crespi, who had spells with different sides in Spanish top-flight leagues, and former Real Zaragoza keeper Francisco Dorronsoro are the two other key members of the big Spanish contingent at Delhi.
Dutch defender Gianni Zuiverloon, who has spent three seasons in the English Premier League with West Bromwich Albion, and the 31-year-old Serbian striker Andrija Kaluderovic, too have plenty of experience under their belt playing Spanish league football.
The presence of Slovenian attacking midfielder Rene Mihelic, signed from Chennaiyin FC, will also add great value to the team.
Young Indians
Among the Indian recruits, the most valuable signing for Delhi is India international defender Narayan Das. Up front, Kaluderovic, who was plying his trade in the Australian league before joining Delhi, will team up with 21-year-old Mizo sensation Lallianzuala Chhangte.
Their forward line-up also comprises former Bengaluru FC striker Daniel Lalhlimpuia, and Shubham Sarangi, who returned after a four-month stint at Qatar's Aspire Academy.
The Indians in Delhi’s midfield packed with foreigners are Romeo Fernandes, Vinit Rai, Siam Hanghal, Indian junior player Nanda Kumar, and former Chennaiyin FC player Bikramjeet Singh.
Apart from Narayan Das, international Pritam Kotal, and former Mohun Bagan defender Rana Gharami are the two other Indians signed by Delhi to protect their backline.
Since Dorronsoro will be their first-choice keeper, Albino Gomes, I-League winner with Aizawl FC, and former Pailan Arrows custodian Shayan Roy will have to wait for their chance.
