FC Goa a complete team, feels Hyderabad FC coach Manolo Marquez

The Spaniard also spoke about his biggest takeaways from the opening three matches.

Defending champions, Hyderabad FC have enjoyed a strong start to the season. The Nizams are unbeaten and have kept clean sheets in their last two games. They are also third in the points table, having played a game less than table-toppers Odisha FC and the second-placed Mumbai City FC. Ahead of their home game against FC Goa, Manolo Marquez and Akash Mishra spoke to the media.

Here's what they said at the pre-match press conference:

Approach against FC Goa

Manolo Marquez was happy with the start Hyderabad FC made to the season and acknowledged the away team's quality. He said, ‘’We have made a good start to the season, not only in terms of points but also in terms of the teams playing well. We know that the opponents are very strong, but we also know at the same time that we are a very difficult team to beat’’.

Expectations from the game

The Hyderabad FC coach said that he expects a strong game from FC Goa but is confident in his own team. ‘’I think we play always in a similar style, sometimes we cannot do it as the opponent are playing too. In the last game against Bengaluru FC in the first half, we had more chances but we were not 100% Hyderabad, but in the second half we were Hyderabad.

He further added, "we expect a tough match and we are playing a strong team who had a bad season last season, but after two wins they will be calmer’’. He concluded by saying that he expects Goa to fight for the playoffs this year.

Biggest takaways from the previous matches

Manolo Marquez said it's a long season and they are at the beginning of the competition. He sees the team play at least 20 more games. ‘’We will have some good games, bad games and sometimes very bad games. We expect that the attitude is good and the other team can beat us when they are better.

"But in terms of attitude, the other team cannot be better than you’’. He further added that he is happy with the start to the season and that every game will be very difficult.

Any changes to the playing XI against FC Goa

Marquez said the team will be similar and expects maybe one change against FC Goa. ‘’It's important now the team is winning, so there won't be too many changes. Maybe one change, but more or less we will play a similar team’’. He also added that bench strength is needed for the team to be competitive for the entire season.

Assessment of FC Goa

Manolo Marquez said that there are not a lot of ‘’secrets’’ in this game. ‘’It's clear that the style we will play and also the style Carlos Pena is implementing at FC Goa. At least in my two seasons in ISL, FC Goa was a team that wanted to keep the ball and possession. Now they want more things, as they can defend the attack and also counter attack, so I feel its a complete team,’’ he said.

Akash Mishra: Returning from injury

The left-back, who missed the first two games for Hyderabad FC, was back last game and helped his side keep a clean-sheet against Bengaluru FC. On his return from injury, Mishra said, ‘’It's never nice to miss games. I am really happy that I played 90 minutes in the last game, and I'm looking forward to the next game’’.

Akash Mishra: Thoughts on playing at home

‘’I played two seasons for Hyderabad FC and this is my third season, but the last game was my first game at Gachibowli. The fans were amazing and they were loud and I hope they turn out in big numbers for our next game,’’ he said.

Mishra also added, ‘’In ISL all teams are good and have their own style, so every game is important. But the most important thing for us is that our games are well and we will look to play our kind of football."