Carlos Pena: Young players are starting because they deserve it

The FC Goa tactician also spoke of the challenge they will be facing against ATK Mohun Bagan.

Ever since their 0-3 defeat against FC Goa in the reverse fixture, ATK Mohun Bagan went on a four-match unbeaten streak before losing to NorthEast United last week. What’s more, is that Carlos Pena’s men are in fact one point behind Juan Ferrando’s squadron. Despite being only a point apart there is still a lot at stake as the head coach stated that the previous result is nothing to go by.

Attending the pre-match press conference, FC Goa’s mentor answered a few more questions:

Approach towards the game

Despite having a comfortable head-to-head advantage against ATK Mohun Bagan this season, Carlos Pena is wary of the threats they possess. The Mariners were off their game in the last fixture. Speaking about the differences between the last meeting and the objectives for this one, the Spaniard said:   

“They have very good players. Before the last defeat (to NorthEast United), they had won their last four games besides drawing to Odisha FC. They have a good squad and quality players in attack.” 

“We have to be very focused on our defensive work and try to punish them whenever we attack. It’s going to be an equal game and a tough game for us. For me, it will be a clash between two teams who are fighting for playoffs and are close in the league standings. But of course, we will go to Kolkata and try our best to get all three points.” 

Maintaining the consistency

FC Goa dismantled ATK Mohun Bagan in commanding fashion in the reverse fixture in Goa as Aiban Dohling, Fares Arnaout and Noah Sadaoui got on the scoresheet. The head coach hailed the match as one of their best outings this season and called for his side to replicate their performance when he mentioned:

“It will be a different game from what we played in Goa. We controlled the game against them in all aspects and that was one of our best performances of this season. We faced them with a lot of energy, good positive pressure and we competed really well. If we want to have options to win games after Wednesday, we will need to have the same attitude."

Fielding academy graduates and younger players

Although Brison Fernandes scored against Jamshedpur in their first meeting, he was only handed a starting role in the last match (a 2-2 draw). Similarly, while Makan Winkle Chothe has featured in quite a few games, the young winger was allowed to start for the first time. As both of them rewarded Pena with their contributions, the tactician explained his methodical approach to introduce the younger contingent to the matchday squad. He explained:

“We have very good young players here. They are the future of the club and we are here to help them grow. With that, we are also going to make sure that the club grows in the same way.” 

Helping youngsters to form the future foundation of the club

Players like Ayush Dev Chhetri, Brison, and Anwar Ali have played a pivotal part this season. The former and latter have established themselves as the core of this group more notably. While Anwar has reinstated himself as one of the best young Indian centre-backs in the league, 19-year-old Ayush continues to surprise everyone with his maturity and reading of the game. Discussing their inclusion and role, Carlos Pena concluded:

“If young players are starting, it’s because they deserve it. I want to win. So, I am focusing on the present but I am also looking toward the future of the club. They (young players) are ready to play. Obviously, they have things to work on, but they will surely get better with time and more minutes. This is my way of getting them to reach their potential.”

“Those who deserve it, will play. I won’t consider nationality when deciding who will play (in the starting line-up). They are helping us a lot in the present and because of that, they are getting minutes. They will be even more important in the future if they keep going and continue in the same manner. Right now, they are ready to help the team and handle the pressure of playing for this club.”