I feel that we will play with two foreign center-backs, asserts FC Goa boss Manolo Marquez

Defender Jay Gupta also shared his thoughts on changing playing positions for the team.

In anticipation of a highly anticipated clash against Mohun Bagan in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 season, FC Goa’s head coach Manolo Marquez exuded confidence and optimism during the pre-match press conference held earlier today. FC Goa are going to take on Mohun Bagan Super Giant in an ISL clash on their home soil.

Let’s dive into what Manolo and Jay Gupta said to the media.

Managing the situation

Manolo Marquez with his confident style of answering elucidated the need to adapt to manage the situation as Sandesh Jhingan and Victor are injured. He said, “We need to adapt in our idea of how to manage the situation and in some games, I feel that we will play with two foreign center-backs.” Although they will go in with the same system different players have different styles of play and making things work is the biggest responsibility.

“The thing is that we need to know that we are already in the second leg and have bans because we have players with three yellow cards but I think that we will manage both situations,” Manolo added.

Praising the opposition

Although Mohun Bagan has not been in good form lately, they are a quality side with some good players. Manolo praised Mohun Bagan by saying, “They have six or seven players that they can decide one game into action. I think they are a very strong team with very good players and it will be a very difficult game.”

Manolo also said that Mohun Bagan is a big side with seven national team players along with the likes of Petratos, Sadiku, and Hector. Although they are changing their style because the coaches are very different. If we don’t play a good game against big teams we have a chance to lose the game.

Focus on the game

When asked about being unbeaten at home Manolo remarked, “You can have one opinion. I have another opinion. And both are right. For example, yes, we are unbeaten. But all teams who play against us, want to beat FC Goa.” Mohun Bagan will want three points from the game as a draw will not be sufficient for them. These numbers are out of the game we need to be focused to win the game.

Marquez concluded by confirming that Borja would miss the game due to suspension and Leander D’Cunha would still need a week more to recover.

Switching Roles

When asked about switching his positions from center-back to the left for the team Jay Gupta said, “I mean from the beginning itself I came in as a center back for Manolo and I had a few talks with him, and obviously according to what the coach wants and the team needs according to the players that I already put off of-positions. I don’t know, I don’t want to say anything myself but I think till now for me it’s been going well.”

Team game

Jay Gupta emphasized the fact that his team works hard in every attack and defends as a unit. He said, “Honestly I want to talk more about our squad depth and how everybody works together collectively and in synergy to be able to get to the position where any of us can reach a point where we can score a goal.

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