Marco Balbul: Not easy to go again & again when results don't go your way

The NorthEast United head coach praised his backroom staff.

It’s almost been two months since the Indian Super League (ISL 2022-23) kicked off. But two times semi-finalists NorthEast United are yet to open their account this season. Marco Balbul's team has lost all their seven games this season.

And to change that, they will make a trip to the city of temples, Bhubaneswar, to take on a high flying Odisha FC. It’s going to be a clash between two contrasting sides with the Highlanders desperately searching for some confidence while the Juggernauts boosting their same so far this season.

Ahead of the match, head coach Marco Balbul and midfielder Pragyan Gogoi addressed the media. Here’s what they had to say:

Thoughts on Odisha FC

Marco Balbul answered the first question and shared his thoughts on Odisha FC. He said that they are good side, but his team will do everything to win the game.

“They are having a very good season and are just three points off the top of the table. They have a good squad, a good coach, but we need to focus on ourselves. We have to be organised and avoid mistakes that we made against Mumbai City. We need to do our best to win this game,” he asserted.

Performance of the team

Balbul further shared his thoughts on the performance of his team so far. He was all praise for his players for sticking together in such situations and also made a remark that individual mistakes need to be avoided.

“We showed good ability and good quality football in the first half against Mumbai and a great finish by Parthib. I think after the decision of the referee to give away a penalty, we showed good character. We need to avoid individual mistakes and we need to keep a clean sheet to win the game,” said the tactician.

Back Room staff

When asked about his support staff, Marco Balbul praised his staff and also mentioned that they have the required motivation to turn things around.

“I think we have a good staff that helped me a lot with the preparations. I cannot complain about the players because they give their everything in training everyday. It’s not easy to go again and again when results don’t go your way. I along with the staff have motivation to change the situation,” he quipped.

Pragyan Gogoi’s comments

Tough Times

NorthEast United are undergoing a tough time both on and off the pitch this season. But despite all the lows that the team has faced recently, Pragyan said that the team is highly motivated to perform well in the next game.

“It’s been difficult. As you know, the results haven’t gone our way. We have been unlucky many times this season. Odisha FC is a good team and we will have to give our best to get our first points in the next game,” said Gogoi.