PUNE, December 1: After having contrasting Round VIII outings, Pune FC would go into the Round IX clash against Mohun Bagan high on confidence given that the visitors are low on morale after securing just one point from last two rounds.

On paper though Mohun Bagan looks a formidable side, but ever since Moroccan Karim Bencherifa took over the Kolkata team has struggled to find its winning combination. That is the area Pune FC coach Derrick Pereira wants to work on and score upon the illustrious opponents.

Pune FC won their last round match, an away outing against Sporting Clube de Goa, while Bagan returned to Pune battered and bruised from 0-3 lashing by defending champions Dempo SC. While Pune FC was held to a 2-2 draw by United Sikkim FC at the Balewadi Stadium, Bagan struggled to hold Mumbai FC 1-1 after having taken the lead.

The hosts are currently on fifth position with 13 points with a game in hand. A place below at 11 points is Mohun Bagan.

It could be Pune FC’s best chance to score its only second win over Bagan by capitalising the situation. Bagan is under pressure no doubt, but Bancherifa has good record against Pune FC—when the Kolkata giants had come here in the 2009-10 season with the Moroccan in-charge of the team they had beaten Pune FC 3-1 thanks to Chidi Edeh hat-trick.

Since then the two teams have met five times with both winning once each and playing out three draws, including a 1-1 at this very Balewadi Stadium.

“For any player, playing against Mohun Bagan is a motivation. The urge to do well automatically comes from within when you take the field against such an opponent,” said Pereira.

More importantly, Pune FC has a reason to believe that they can win against Bagan as in the same fixture last season, Pereira’s boys came from a goal down to secure a 2-1 win over the Kolkata giants. Incidentally, this was the only victory Pune FC has scored over their opponents in seven attempts.

Midfielders Douhou Pierre, Arata Izumi and striker Jeje Lalpekhlua all have scored a goal each against Bagan in the past. However, the home side will definitely be looking to add a few more names to the list on Sunday, specially Ghanaian James Moga, who has found his form off late.

The Pune FC coach said he would prefer not to comment on the Bagan team composition. “But then every team has their own set of strengths and weaknesses. Thus we can negate their strong department and step up the pressure on the weak department we have a game on hand.”

“I have told the players to play as per plan and also urged then to enjoy the gift God has given them and do their best,” said Pereira.

Apart from the two goalless matches between these teams, Bagan have managed to open scoring against Pune FC in all matches. This will be one thing Pereira will look to improve when the two sides meet on the morrow.

One way to do it will be to stop their talisman and skipper Odafa Okolie who has scored six out of