Sergio Lobera: From now every match is a final, need to go step-by-step

The Gaurs are just a point shy of the top spot with five games still to go.

FC Goa host Kerala Blasters as they look to reclaim top spot in the league. Both sides come into this fixture having lost their previous matches and will look to seal a win to restore momentum in the camp. FC Goa head coach Sergio Lobera along with defender Carlos Pena spoke to the media in the pre-match press conference.

Coach's Corner

Sergio Lobera shared his thoughts on the fixtures that remain in the league. He said, “From now, every match is a final. For us and for all teams in the same situation. It’s a very important match and we need to go step-by-step." “The past does not affect the future, every season, every match is different. Tomorrow is a very difficult match for us, playing against a very good team and I think nothing in the past affects the future.” The coach was asked if he would be resting any players in the upcoming fixture to which he replied, “I am thinking only about the best way to win tomorrow. I don’t think about, if some players with three yellow cards could get one more yellow card or rest and recover for another match. It’s not the moment to think about this because we need to win and as a coach, I need to decide the best for the team, the best first XI.” [KH_ADWORDS type="4" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS] The 43-year-old Spaniard expressed his disappointment about failing to extend the gap in the points table. “I think we lost two big opportunities this season, one against Bengaluru and one against ATK. We need to put the focus in the future. From now, every match ATK play is after our matches for the rest of the season, maybe we can put pressure on the opponent team or maybe demotivate the opponent team.” “It’s very important, everybody knows the situation has changed and has been competitive for the last two seasons. It’s necessary to finish first spot to play Champions League and is a big opportunity and is a big challenge for FC Goa, players, for the club and for everyone. We are working in this direction to finish in the first spot,” concluded Sergio Lobera. Carlos Pena was quizzed about the performance in defence and if it had any impact on the games that FC Goa lost this season. He said, “I think we are working the same way, doesn’t depend on defence. The problems with the games we lost was not defence, every game is different. We have lost three games and we have had chances in all of these games.” “It’s difficult now that we lost two very important opportunities to make a big gap against those teams in the table. The fight for being at the top of the league is very tight, we have a new challenge tomorrow.” [KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News | ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS] Carlos Pena had a few words to say about his opponents ahead of their game. He said, “We suffered a lot in Kerala in the first game. I think they have improved a lot during the season, they have very good players. No matter who comes to play against us, we need to win.” "We know we have a big challenge, we know these five matches are very important for the club and for the players. Being at the top of the league this season has a big prize. Playing with this pressure is always fun for players. The league this season is more attractive than the last season because we’re fighting for one goal, very important goal for all the teams, that’s good for players, we love it", he concluded.

Team News

FC Goa have a full squad to choose from.

Head-To-Head

The clubs have met for a total of 11 games with the Gaurs winning seven times and the Blasters for the other three times. The only game they drew was played earlier this season in Kochi.

Probable Lineups

Nawaz; Seriton, Fall, Pena, Mandar; Lenny, Jahouh, Boumous, Doungel, Manvir, Corominas.

Broadcast

The game will commence from 7:30 PM IST on Saturday evening. It will be telecast live on Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 HD. It will also be available to stream on Hotstar and Jio TV.