The Indian Super League (ISL) shall see a clash of two philosophies, one who prefers to play a certain brand of football while the other just wants to win…

Ask any football fan about the best team to not have won the World Cup and the answer is prompt. The Brazilian team of 1982 are regarded as amongst the best ever despite not having won the most prestigious competition.

The likes of Zico, Socrates, Falcao, Cerezo, Eder and others were part of this legendary Brazil squad. Their brand of football enthralled the audiences across the world and not many would have bet against them not winning the trophy.

Against Italy, they only needed a draw to progress to the final. However, what transpired is since then known as the ‘Sarria Stadium Tragedy’.

The Italians took the lead through Paolo Rossi before Socrates equalized. The Italian striker capitalized on an error by Cerezo and put the Azzurri into the lead again before Falcao equalized after getting on the end of a Zico pass. Just when everyone thought Brazil would opt to play more cautiously in order to see off the game, they continued to attack in search of the winner.

However, Rossi completed his hat-trick in the 74th minute to help his side make it into the finals and thereby go on to win the World Cup.

“There is nothing wrong in losing with dignity, it is a part of the game. We were obviously saddened by the result but everybody had clear consciences. The Seleção were going home but we had stood by our convictions till the end. We didn’t allow the win-at-any-costs mentality to compromise our belief in the beautiful game,” said Zico.

His belief that the beautiful game needs to be played in a certain manner in order to entertain the fans is over and above the reality of winning. It is more about ‘how’ rather than the end result.

Before the 2009 Champions League match at the Emirates, the then Olympiakos coach Zico said, “Arsene Wenger's mentality has been to bring together footballers who bring happiness in our sport, the type of players I like to watch. I've followed him since he was in Japan, and he always was a guardian of the art of football – football with happiness and football played well."

This comment came at a time when Arsenal hadn’t won the Premier League for six seasons and a trophy for five years or so. Zico is an idealist, purist and dreamer in how he wishes to see his team play. He has shown pragmatism as well this season in the ISL by switching systems but you wouldn’t see them ever shutting shop in order to eke out a result.

At the other end of the spectrum are Italy - a team which has won four World Cups and 28 European trophies. Many believe that they are the greatest football nation in history.

Italy’s obsession with tactics has been well documented. From Fabio Capello tactically outclassing Johan Cruyff’s Barcelona Dream Team to Arrigo Sacchi’s all-conquering Milan side with their famous total pressing style to even Luciano Spalletti opting to play with a false nine, Italians have been ahead in their understanding of the game and systems.

Italians have a ‘win at all costs’ mentality embedded in them. Famous Italian writer Nicollo Machiavelli’s ‘the end justifies the means’ philosophy best explains their mindset.

In 1934, the legendary Giuseppe Meazza bundled Austrian custodian Peter Platzer which allowed Enrique Guaita to score the winner in the World Cup semis. In the 1982 World Cup, Zico had his shirt torn by half-time thanks to the man marking of Claudio Gentile. In the 2006 World Cup, Materazzi’s verbal tirade with Zinedine Zidane saw the Frenchman headbutt the former and get sent-off. The Italians held their own and won on penalties to win the World Cup.

During the 2006 World Cup, Marcelo Lippi used as many as five different formations, many during the same game which highlights their superior tactical understanding of the game.

Last season the former Inter Milan centre-back said, "We need to score one more goal than the opposition to win a game.” Their idea was to outscore the opponents, something which FC Goa have resorted to, this season.

However, Materazzi reconsidered that startegy after a few disappointing results early on and as a result, Chennaiyin FC have given away the least number of goals this season in the ISL, which is a far cry from their display last year when they were the second most leaky defence in the league.

This season Materazzi has switched formations from a 4-4-1-1 to a diamond in midfield to a 5-3-2 (against FC Pune City in their final league game towards the closing stages).

He has won the treble under Jose Mourinho, a coach whom he considers his idol and known to prioritize winning or results over the style of play.

Sunday evening shall see a clash of two coaching philosophies. One being a romantic wishes to see football being played in a certain manner while the other being pragmatic is focused on eking out a result.

Last season when FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC clashed at the Fatorda Stadium in their first ever ISL game, the visitors ran out 2-1 winners.

“They are an experienced team no doubt. They faked injuries, they made hard tackles. They showed their experience in the way they played. Our team played football. Their team didn't,” said Zico who believed that his team’s dominance in possession and creativity should have resulted in a victory.

“This is football and it will be physical during the game. But at the end of 90 minutes - it’s finished. We are friendly,” was Materazzi’s reply.

Will it be a victory for the fluid attacking football of Zico's or will Materazzi’s tactical nous come to the fore?