Juan Ferrando: I'm happy with the squad, the mentality is positive

The Gaurs' head coach spoke about their preparations ahead of the upcoming season.

The seventh edition of the Indian Super League is set to kick-off in Goa in just two weeks and on Friday, FC Goa hosted a virtual media day ahead of the competition. Head coach Juan Ferrando, newly-appointed captain Edu Bedia, summer recruit Igor Angulo and midfielders Brandon Fernandes and Lenny Rodrigues addressed the media in three separate sessions, as they spoke on various topics.

In the first session, the new FC Goa tactician started off by talking about pre-season and said, “I am happy because we have started working on the (training) pitches which is very important for us. About the time (of pre season), it's very very short. The championship is starting in just over 10 days and me along with my coaching staff are working to prepare a team because it is important to control so many players. Our medical staff is working every day for the recovery program of the players. Our focus is to start preparing for the first game against Bengaluru."

FC Goa have been handed two challenging fixtures in the first couple of weeks itself, as they face Bengaluru FC in the opener followed by Mumbai City FC. Speaking on the same, Juan Ferrando said,“ I am happy and not disappointed (by the way fixtures have lined up). In the championship, everybody plays against everybody. For us, it is not very important who do we play first. Every game is very important to us and we will be looking at the three points. Our mentality will be same and we will be looking to stay competitive.”

Many former FC Goa players including head coach Sergio Lobera have jumped ship to Mumbai City. When questioned about how he will look at that fixture. the Spaniard answered, “In my mind, I don’t think about the opponent. Whether it is Bengaluru or Mumbai, opponents do not matter. Of course, my focus right now is the game against Bengaluru. The most important thing is to prepare my team and help players understand our methodology.”

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“Our target is to prepare for the first game against Bengaluru and after Bengaluru, we prepare for Mumbai. The target is to prepare day-by-day. I’m not thinking about 2-3 months ahead. Of course, I do want to qualify for playoffs and championship, but our target is to approach game-by-game,” he rendered when asked what one can expect from the team in the upcoming season.

Further, Juan Ferrando was asked to make an assessment of the squad. He said, “Currently, we are training on a tactical aspect. Physical condition and the mentality is the second point for us. The important thing is for players to understand the methodology and get used to it. I am happy with the squad because my staff help me a lot and the players’ mentality is positive.”