Punjab FC's Panagiotis Dilmperis outlines strength of opposition ahead of Kerala Blasters clash

Panagiotis Dilmperis praised the opposition players and manager.

Targeting three points, Panagiotis Dilmperis’s Punjab FC will welcome Kerala Blasters to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi for their second Indian Super League (ISL) game of the 2024-25 season.

The Shers are on a three-game losing streak and have dropped out of the playoff spots. With an important game on the horizon, Punjab FC’s manager Panagiotis Dilmperis addressed the press on the eve of the game against the Blasters.

What did the Punjab FC coach say regarding lack of foreign players?

Punjab FC will be playing with just one foreigner in their squad against the Kerala Blasters. Ivan Novoselec and Filip Mrzlijak are injured whereas Luka Majcen and Ezequiel Vidal are suspended due to previous bookings. This leaves Asmir Suljic as the only available foreign player in the squad.

Asked if this could be a problem, The Punjab FC manager said, “Yes, since the first day that I started coaching this team, I think everybody could easily see that I trust Indian players more than anyone else. To be honest, Indian players were the players that were carrying this team to the successful results as well with the help of the foreign players.”

Panagiotis Dilmperis concluded by saying, “In my mind and in my belief is that there is no issue. We are okay, the roster has potential and I do believe that tomorrow also whoever is going to be necessary to play, he will address the game really well.”

Panagiotis Dilmperis says Kerala Blasters should have been higher in the ISL standings

Punjab FC beat the Kerala Blasters in the reverse back in September. Luka Macjen’s late goal helped the Shers pull out a 2-1 win in Kochi, however, late drama ensued as the 35-year-old suffered a rough shoulder barge from Rahul KP that broke Majcen’s jaw and created a ruckus between the two benches.

Talking in regards to their opponents, Panagiotis Dilmperis said, “This is going to be the third game against Kerala Blasters this season. One for the Durand Cup, the first ISL game and now this one. In my mind, all of these games were different. First of all, according to the rosters and second according to the period and third, of course, the importance for every team, for both of us.”

“Kerala is, in my opinion, one great team with huge potential and they should be higher in the standings. But some individual mistakes didn’t let them take points. It’s a hard opponent and if we want to have a successful game tomorrow, we will take from the previous game our defensive performance, discipline, concentration and we have to bring it tomorrow in this field.”

Focusing chiefly on KBFC’s attacking threat, Panagiotis Dilmperis concluded by saying, “We will try to eliminate their attacking potential and at the same time, of course, we have to possess the ball and create our chances so we can score and win.”

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