Jorge Costa: I can change one or two players against NorthEast United

The Mumbai City head coach also indicated that the Islanders are facing another injury issue ahead of the match.

With a demoralizing draw a few days ago, Mumbai City would be eager to get back to winning ways against NorthEast United in their next league game. The Islanders are a point behind Odisha FC, who are in fourth spot currently, but have played a match lesser than Josep Gombau’s side. Ahead of the clash, Mumbai City head coach Jorge Costa interacted with the media in the pre-match press conference on Thursday.

Jorge Costa was asked about Souvik Chakraborty’s departure from his side, to which he answered, “It was a difficult decision for us, but at the end it was him. First, let me tell you that he is a wonderful person and a very good professional. I was working with him for more than one and a half years. There are some times in life when you are not happy and you deserve to be happy."

"I think it was good for him to go to another club to try to be happy, doing the things that he loves," he added.

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“I think it was the best for him and we are also here to help everyone who deserves to be helped. Souvik’s behavior from the first training session till the last was top. Yes, it means that it is one option less, one player less for us, but I think for the club, for the future, it was the best decision for both the parties,” the Mumbai City boss further said.

Jorge Costa also revealed some team news, “We have another problem that you will see tomorrow, but unfortunately the problem came yesterday and it will be difficult for us. Again, we will face some problems, but I trust in the first XI that will play tomorrow."

"Nothing to say, tomorrow is a game where if we win, we will be in the top four. We will play with 11 players and I trust them to give their best till the last minute to win the three points,” the Portuguese added.

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With two defenders less for tomorrow’s game than usual, Jorge Costa was asked whether he would be looking to change the system to face NorthEast United. “I have been working in this system, in two systems, from the beginning of the season. I can change one or two players. I can change the way that we must play, but I will not change my system,” he remarked.

Jorge Costa was quizzed about whether an opportunity to enter into the top four with a victory in the upcoming game was encouraging, with regards to the budget of the club (in transfer windows) and other injuries that they have faced so far this season.

“I have been with you all here for one and a half years. Normally, I do not like to find excuses. From the first day that I arrived in Mumbai, I knew it, for example, our budget," the tactician answered.

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“Of course we don’t compare our budget with other teams. I knew that it would be difficult to finish in the top four, speaking about the last season. But, from the first day I say that because I am a winner and I am afraid of no-one, we finished in the top four," he went on to say.

Ruing the disappointing result against Hyderabad FC and looking forward to the next match, Jorge Costa further elaborated, “Yes, of course, we know that with 3-4 games left, to the end, all the points that we lose will be difficult to recover. We knew it before the Hyderabad game. We knew how important it was for us to win the three points."

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Regarding NorthEast United and their previous draw against them earlier in the season, the coach remarked, “First of all, it will be a different game with different players. But again, we will play against a very good team and also they want to finish the season in the top four and they have the quality for this."

“It’s something that we must respect and we know that they will cause us some problems during the game. But, as I always say, I trust in my work, I trust in my players and I know that normally, if nothing strange will happen in the game, normally we can finish the game with the three points,” Jorge Costa concluded.

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Team News

Pratik Chaudhari is suspended for the match. The coach also reiterated that there’s another fresh injury concern, but did not reveal the identity of the player.

Head-to-Head

Mumbai City FC and NorthEast United have played 11 matches against each other in the past. The Islanders have won six matches, whereas the Highlanders have emerged victorious in three other games. Two encounters have finished as draws.

Probable Lineup

Amrinder, Valpuia, Golui, Grgic, Bose, Sourav, Larbi, Borges, Diego, Sougou, Chermiti.

Broadcast

The game will commence from 7:30 PM IST on Friday 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.