Ahead the clash against Chennaiyin FC, FC Goa’s head-coach Juan Ferrando and midfielder Edu Bedia addressed the media in pre-match press conference.
Speaking upon the mentality and character shown by the players from last couple of games in which FC Goa is unbeaten, Juan said,
“The most important thing is that the team has a strong personality and strong character and they want to win all the time the three points. This is the result of the players and their performance. When the score is not in our favour and when there are moments that are difficult, the team collectively keeps going on with a strong mentality and positive attitude.”
In the first leg of the league, FC Goa were beaten by Chennaiyin FC. Ferrando expressed his view upon the reverse fixture and told IFTWC,
“Now the game is totally different from the first round. When we played against Chenniayin last time, we only had two days to prepare. The team was very tired. I see the team is more ready than the first round. It is necessary we need control set-pieces, as Manuel Lanzarote is very good at set-pieces. It is also necessary to control Isma and second balls with Memo. But, for sure tomorrow, we will be ready with positive mentality.”
“At the end, it is one more game for us. Our mentality is to get three points. We don’t think about the previous game played against them. It’s all about the 90 minutes against them where we should score goals and get three points at the end. Every game is a new opportunity for us,” he added.
In the last match against mighty Mumbai City FC, FC Goa managed to snatch the win and take one point. The last goal from the Guars came from the super-sub Ishan Pandita in the added time. Even though Ishan has showed his performance coming in as substitute, he has not been yet started and played whole match. Addressing the same,
“We decide the best eleven before every game. In this case, if we decide to use Ishan as a substitute, it is because in our plan, it is better. Ishan is very hardworking. I repeat this saying that it’s not only about the goals, but also learn about pressing, timing of the press, our positions in attack. There are a lot of details.”
He added, “I am happy when Ishan’s on the pitch because he’s good in doing his job. This is FC Goa so we prepare the best lineup depending on our opponents and situation.”
Also Read – Match Preview: Chennaiyin FC vs FC Goa
Midfielder Edu Bedia is currently on three yellow cards. Having four more league matches remaining, the captain need to avoid picking another yellow as that will lead him to miss a match. The 31-year-old midfielder said,
“I try my best to play all the games to the maximum level I can. But given the fact that there are three yellows in my mind, I surely try to avoid some situations where not to go into tackles or situations that are risky. But the fact is, we need play at our maximum because we are playing for everything. Obviously, we will try and do so with the idea that I have three yellow cards till the end of group stages.”
Commenting on the pressure team possess having four games in hand to cement the place in playoff’s, Edu said,
“I don’t really think so we have pressure. I think the team is improving constantly on a day-to-day basis. We have always been better today than we were in the previous day. We haven’t been defeated from last few games. It is always better to look from a positive perspective rather than the negative. I do think that game against Chennaiyin tomorrow will be most important game of the season, because it is the most important stage of the season now. If we get three points tomorrow then we will be in a very good position.”
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