Manolo Marquez calls for FC Goa to showcase competitiveness in tough Al-Nassr clash

FC Goa boss is optimistic about his team’s preparation against Al Nassr.

Manolo Marquez is poised to guide his FC Goa side to what is arguably their biggest match of the 2025-26 AFC Champions League Two campaign so far when they face off against the Saudi Pro League giants, Al-Nassr.

With the Gaurs yet to have picked up any points from their group, the pressure is on Manolo Marquez‘s side to produce something heroic to get a positive result from the game.

When asked about his feelings for this highly anticipated clash against Al-Nassr, the Spanish gaffer stated: “It’s a very difficult game, but we’re very excited to be here and pleased to host these kind of teams. It’s very good for not only FC Goa but Indian football. This will be an 11-v-11 match and we will be fighting to win the game.”

Importance of mentality and timing of Al-Nassr clash

Marquez also called for his players to keep a positive and strong mentality for this game against the Saudi heavyweights, claiming: “If you don’t enter the pitch with a good mentality, then it’s better to stay at home. They are a big team, but if you don’t start the game with a good mentality, then you are already 1-0 behind.

You have to enter the pitch with a strong mentality, and we know the kind of players we’re facing tomorrow. I’d love to enter press conferences after winning games 1-0. Indian football needs these kinds of games.”

When asked about if he feels this is a bad time for FC Goa to face Al-Nassr as the Gaurs are yet to pick up any points, Manolo stated: “We beat one very good team to qualify for the AFC Champions League Two which had 8-9 players of Oman national team, and if we didn’t defeat them then we wouldn’t be here.

As we beat them, we are able to play here. It’s a life of football for wanting more, and we played a good game against Al-Zawraa. They had more experience than us and that was not a very bad game.

“Now we face Al-Nassr with the hope that we will enter the pitch and have a good performance and I hope everyone can enjoy the game and we get support from the entire stadium.

It’s never a good moment to play against strong teams, even when you are in a good run of form, but in this case this is fantastic for everyone in Goa,” he further claimed.

Also Read: FC Goa vs Al Nassr Preview, prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds | AFC Champions League Two 2025-26

Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence

Cristiano Ronaldo is not going to be part of the Al-Nassr squad for this game, as he’s been rested for workload reasons.

Marquez isn’t that perturbed by that, as he explained: “It doesn’t matter to give a reaction to that. That is the decision of Jorge Jesus (Al-Nassr coach).

If I had to react to it, it’s that there is a FIFA World Cup in the future and he wants to be in the best possible condition for the competition. If you are in the position of the coach (Jesus), it’s normal to manage his workload.

“Of course, everyone would’ve loved that Cristiano played in this game, but they have a lot of good players in the squad apart from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Cristiano is the most famous player, but they have a lot of top international and local players in this team. They have practically won all the games in the cup and league, and both games in the AFC Champions League Two,” he also added.

FC Goa’s plans to stop Al-Nassr’s attacking force

Finally, upon being questioned on how FC Goa aim to neutralize the threat of Al-Nassr’s star-studded attacking line – which has the likes of Joao Felix, Sadio Mane and Kingsley Coman – the Spanish gaffer replied: “Football is all about defending, attacking and transitions. If we need to defend, then we will defend. Even if we don’t want to defend close to our box and we need to do it, we will do it.

“If we have the option to recover the ball, we will try to do it. We never know. If we have options for good counter-attacks, we will try and you never know what happens in set-pieces. There are some things we will prepare differently because this is not the same team as we face against any ISL team,” he finished with.

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