Cesar Ferrando unsure of defensive options, Sergio Lobera looking for collective effort

A win could help the visitors go on top of the table.

Jamshedpur FC host FC Goa on Thursday in an ill-timed time for both sides in the campaign. FC Goa's in-form striker Ferran Corominas is serving a suspension and will have to sit out this match as he was shown a red card in their last fixture. On the other hand, despite being unbeaten so far in the league, the Men of Steel are without a win in their last four games and are looking for a positive result against the Gaurs on Thursday.

The coaches of both the teams met the media before their clash for the pre-match press conference.

Coach’s Corner

Cesar Ferrando (Jamshedpur FC)

The interaction started with the Spaniard being asked to express his views on the opposition which he is facing. “FC Goa are playing very well at the moment. They have a very good coach, but we will be playing at home and my team is ready for tomorrow’s match and we will be looking forward to a very good match tomorrow," he said.

The in-form Gaurs' striker Corominas, who has six goals and four assists to his name, is facing suspension and will be ineligible to play against Jamshedpur. When asked if the absence of the forward will give his team an edge the Spaniard had the following to say. ”It’s not only because of Coro that FC Goa had such a good run in their previous fixtures. Their team as a whole is playing well. So, we are up against a very good team tomorrow”.

Regarding Jamshedpur’s recent run in the league he said, ”I am happy with my team but last match I was shouting at my boys because they are committing silly mistakes."

"Like last match, in spite of my seven players being in the defence, their striker could still connect with the cross provided by (Seminlen) Doungel and finish it. These kind of mistakes should not happen," the Jamshedpur FC tactician said.

“My boys are getting better and better as days pass by and I am happy with current progress made and there’s a huge difference in the way we played against Segovia in Spain and now when we played against Kerala," he added.

The centre of Jamshedpur's defence has seen Tiri being paired with Pratik, Gaikwad , Balmuchu, Dhanachandra so far in the campaign. When asked if Ferrando is still unsure about the defensive pair he answered, ”Yes, that is something which I am still unsure about and we are trying out different partners for him. I hope that we are soon able to figure out who will be the perfect partner for him."

Sergio Lobera (FC Goa)

First and foremost, the Goan coach was asked about the unavailability of his in-form striker and whether that will affect his team’s performance in any way. ” It’s always the collective and not individuals which win a match. So, I have the rest of my players available for tomorrow’s game and I am looking forward to it," Lobera said.

"It’s a tough game and Jamshedpur are very good with the ball and we are up against a very good team tomorrow," he expressed.

While at one end Goa are scoring goals on a regular basis the Gaurs' defence is also leaking them at the back. The FC Goa head coach was questioned about whether that is something which he is concerned about, “I am not concerned about getting clean-sheets as long as we are winning our matches with a good goal-difference," Sergio said.

Expressing his views on the Indian Super League,” It’s a well-organized competition and is a very good platform for Indian youngsters and is helping in the development of Indian football," the Spaniard concluded.

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Team News

Jamshedpur FC 

Local player Mobashir Rahman is out with an injury. The rest of the squad is fit to play against FC Goa.

FC Goa 

Ferran Corominas is ineligible to play this match after picking up a red card in the last outing. Rest of the players are in contention for a place in the starting XI.

Probable Lineups

Jamshedpur FC– S. Pal (GK), Gurung, Tiri, Pratik, Dhanachandra, Memo, Mario, Soosairaj, S.Cidoncha, Choudhary, Cahill

FC Goa– Nawaz(GK), Fernandes, Fall, Chinglensana, Desai, Jahouh, Rodrigues, J.Singh, Bedia, Boumous, M.Singh

Did You Know?

• FC Goa has won just 17 aerial duels in the league so far (lowest in the league), while Jamshedpur FC has won 53 (second highest).

• The Gaurs have scored the most number of goals this season (14) as of now and have the highest goal conversion ratio so far (21.87%).

• The visitors will miss the services of the league's highest scorer (Ferran Corominas) against the Men of Steel.

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Broadcast

The match will take place on Thursday at 7:30PM the JRD TATA Sports Complex in Jamshedpur. On television, the match will be live on Star Sports. Meanwhile, it will also be streamed on Hotstar and Jio TV.