Roberto Carlos Cautions Delhi Dynamos Against Complacency

Looking for a win that will take them to the top of the table, Delhi Dynamos FC manager Roberto Carlos on Monday asked his players to guard against complacency when they lock horns with laggards Northeast United FC here on Tuesday. (Delhi Dynamos Look to Go on Top Against NorthEast United FC)

Speaking on the match against seventh-placed NEUFC, Carlos said, "Sometimes the table doesn't show the skills of each team. NorthEast is a great team with great players. We are going to struggle to win tomorrow. It will be very tough."

"We have been through that when we played against Mumbai. Obviously, I hope we don't have the same result as Mumbai (a 0-2 loss)," he told reporters at the pre-match conference here.

UEFA Champions League winner John Arne Riise, who is playing his first season in the Indian Super League, said that he was feeling stronger and more confident with each game.

"It's always new and different to come to a different country. I feel confident and I am getting stronger with each game. I am also getting more confident with the players around me. I think it's been a good start for my team and me."

Talking about his more central role in defence for Delhi Dynamos, the ex-Liverpool left-back said, "It's less running in the middle than playing left back. Roberto (Carlos) asked me the first few days 'where would you prefer to play' but for me it doesn't matter where I play, I'll play wherever the big boss wants me to play."

"I'm enjoying playing centre-back. My relationship with Anas (Edathodika) in the centre has been very good," he added. Inspite of Northeast United FC's 1-5 defeat to Mumbai City FC in their last game, NorthEast manager Cesar Farias said they were looking forward to a good game against Dynamos.

"In this league, all the teams are very even. So every game brings a different story. Against Dynamos, we will look to control the ball and try to keep a clean sheet. We will stay compact and sharpen our attacks," he said.

"In the last game, we had two penalty kicks awarded against us which were not fouls but accidental handballs. And it's not common to have two handballs in the box to happen in the same game. It's very rare and that (the penalty kicks) opened up the game," he added.

In a message for Northeast supporters, who are expected to come in large numbers and be their twelfth-man tomorrow, Farias said, "It makes us feel happy to have the support of our people. We hope to give them a good game and a good result."

Roberto Carlos, on the chances of his team being crowned champions, said, "In theory we can be one of the favourites. But the most important thing is to show it in practice. We have to show it on the pitch. The players have to get on the pitch, show their skills and perform well."

Carlos confirmed that he will play in tomorrow's match. This will be his first game at home at the JLN stadium after not featuring in the first home game against Chennaiyin FC due to injury.

On a lighter note he said, "Yes, I will play a little. I will team up with Riise. What can be better than that!"