We need few more games to hit top gear: Juan Ferrando

Juan Ferrando believes Mohun Bagan are not favourites against FC Goa.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant are set to take the stage at the 2023 Durand Cup semi-final against fellow Indian Super League (ISL) heavyweights FC Goa at the Salt Lake Stadium on Thursday, August 31. The Mariners are well aware that a win can help them set up a mouth-watering Kolkata Derby final against rivals East Bengal for the Durand Cup title.

Ferrando wary of FC Goa threat

Juan Ferrando is not taking FC Goa’s threat lightly at all. He opened up on his former’s side strengths before the game, saying: “Just like Mohun Bagan, FC Goa also have a really capable and balanced squad. There is a major difference between the FC Goa of last season to the one we’ll face tomorrow. They have a new coach and talented players like Noah (Sadaoui), Boris (Singh), Udanta (Singh), Sandesh (Jhingan) and Carl McHugh. That is why we have a challenging task ahead at home. We have the AFC Cup group stages ahead of us after this. A game against a strong side like Goa will be a fitting challenge for us.”

Mohun Bagan yet to reach peak form and ‘favourites’ tag

The Spaniard insists that the Mariners are yet to reach their peak form as they’re still in pre-season. He explained: “For many reasons, our pre-season training hasn’t been as good as I had hoped it for. We need a few more games to hit top gear. Despite defeating Mumbai City, we still need to work on improving certain areas of our game in the upcoming matches. We want to reach the final, but need to avoid injuries. That is why we might see a change in players and formation from the previous match.”

Juan Ferrando has also dismissed claims that Mohun Bagan are the overwhelming favorites to win this game due to their win over Mumbai City. He stated: “Just because we were able to defeat a strong team like Mumbai doesn’t mean we’re overwhelming favourites to defeat Goa as well. I refuse to believe that. We are confident for this one, but are not taken it for granted. That is because every game happens on a different day with different challenges to it.”

What Mohun Bagan need to do to win Durand Cup semis

The Spanish mentor also opened up on what he is expecting from FC Goa and what Mohun Bagan players need to do to win this game. He said: “I’ve almost seen every single match of Goa in the Durand Cup. Despite being in pre-season, I have an idea of how they are playing right now. I’m sure that if the players are able to execute my strategy and able to convert the goal-scoring chances created, then we will prevail to the final.

“But we must acknowledge that Goa are also craving to reach the final, which is why this will be a very tight contest. We need to fight until the very last minute of the match to get the win. From the minute the match begins until the very last moment, this will be an important test and one we’ll hope to get past successfully,” he finished off with.

Mohun Bagan and FC Goa will face each other in the Durand Cup semi-final for the first-time ever. The Mariners can set up an exciting Kolkata derby final with the win, which would mark the first time the two Kolkata giants met in a Durand Cup final since 2004.

For that, however, Juan Ferrando’s side need to put their best feet forward and produce a strong performance to eliminate the Gaurs – who have been on fire under Manolo Marquez in the competition and are coming off the back of a dominant 4-1 win over Chennaiyin FC in the quarter-finals.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.