Day 33 and 36, Match 30 and 33. Oh! Delhi..

At the end of the first round of the League, Delhi was in the top four. With Del Piero as their Marquee player, it was expected that Harm van Veldhoven's men will raise their game in the second round. Unfortunately, Delhi Dynamos FC have failed to keep up with their tag line 'Thok Denge'.

Delhi have been performing consistently poor. Out of numerous games, their maiden win was against Chennai. They are so out of the form that they now hold the last position in the standings. They have tasted two back-to-back defeats this week; one was against Goa and the other came from Kerala.

Delhi Dynamos FC (1) - FC Goa (4)

Formation: 4-4-1-1 and 4-1-4-1

Courtesy:ISL

During the first half of the game, both the teams that lay at the bottom of the table, played well. Delhi lack creativity in attack. The game started with Delhi's Skoubo missing to convert a free kick in the budding hours. Goa created two continuous chances but were denied by the defence. Goa, however, did not miss the third opportunity as Bengelloun's strike found the back of the net. All the chances created by the Home team were held easily by the Guest's defence. Except for a nearly accurate attempt by the young Brazilian, Dos Santos, all the other attempts by Delhi were frail and predictable for the defence to clear. Mulder brought Pires down at the dawn of the second half of the game. Bengelloun's header for Andre Santos' curling ball gave Goa a lead by two goals. Van Hout made an error by bringing down Pires. Delhi paid heavily for this fatal mistake as the referee awarded Goa with a penalty which Pires took, providing the team with another goal within 5 minutes. Ozbey gave another blow as he scored the fourth goal for the Guests. Debarata's extended hand accorded Delhi a penalty which Dos Santos took. Delhi's crowd was not satisfied as their only goal came from a penalty kick. The game ended with Del Piero on bench and Goa with three points.

Delhi Dynamos FC (0) - Kerala Blasters (1)

Formation: 4-4-1-1 and 4-3-3

Courtesy:ISL

Del Piero in the starting line up gave the home audience a reason to cheer. Defence has always been Delhi's strongest point. But this much celebrated back line's slip in the opening minutes sent shivers to the followers. Del Piero took the corner kick and Shylo crossed it inside the box but the ball received no further assistance. Hume's beautiful, absolutely beautiful moves with the ball. Del Piero unselfishly passed the ball to Shylo but it was deflected by the defender. Team-mate Adil? Mad Junker passed the ball to Del Piero which the Marquee player headed towards the goal post only to find Adil unintentionally blocking it. Del Piero and Delhi are going through a rough patch, we suppose! Raymaekers picked by an injury at the end of the first half and had to be substituted. Well, this definitely wasn't good way for the Home team to start the second half. After Hume's failed attempt to score for his team, Del Piero built up a telling chance for his team. He passed the ball to Junker who further passed it to Mulder but Jhingan stopped the midfielder to score. Orji, who came as a substitute for Romey, changed the course of the game. With Hume's assist he broke the dead lock giving Kerala a lead. After a few set pieces, substitutions and numerous attempts by the home team, the game ended in favour of the Visitors.

Courtesy:ISL

Delhi lost twice on the home ground within a week but it is to be noticed that they played differently in both the matches. Delhi vs Goa brought the capital a humiliating defeat. The players struggled, largely in the second half. One could easily calculate that the Dynamos lacked in almost every area. Delhi vs Kerala saw the home team in a better shape. Delhi dominated the game even in the second half, which is considered to be their feeble quarter. Del Piero produced ample telling chances. He and Junker bring creativity to the field which the team definitely lacks as this is the team with least number of goals conceded (5). Van Veldhoven trusts Dos Santos (we just can not convince ourselves to see why). In such a situation Veldhoven can use 4-3-3 with Dos Santos playing alongside Del Piero and Junker. Though, we would like to see Skoubo as a forward and Dos Santos as an attacking midfielder or a winger. Del Piero and Junker are class players, van Veldhoven should use them more often.