Juan Ferrando admits pressure is on ahead of Mumbai City clash

The FC Goa tactican was also quick to clarify that the game is 'not very special' as it is not a knockout fixture.

It has been a difficult few weeks for FC Goa. Juan Ferrando and his men have been forcing their way through a difficult set of fixtures, after several injuries and red cards have plagued their plans to maintain a hold on their playoffs spot. As they near the business end of the season, they sit in third place in the ISL standings, but precariously close to being fifth and out of the playoffs spots. Their next match is against high-flying Mumbai City FC and the former Goa head coach Sergio Lobera. As ISL braces for this entertainer, Goa know that the result here could determine their playoffs future.

Dheeraj on being back in starting lineup

Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem had not started in a game for a long time, a streak which finally ended when he played for FC Goa against East Bengal. “Honestly, it is not an easy task when you don’t play for a long time, almost one and a half years. But, we are professional players. We train every day. If you get any opportunity, you have to step in and perform.”

Playing out from the back

At Goa, Ferrando insists on playing out from the back through the goalkeeper, something Dheeraj has struggled with in his first starts of the season. “The playing style at ATK and at FC Goa are very different. At Goa, the goalkeeper is used to start and build the game.

"But, it is not a very easy task. It looks easy from the outside. I have to work really hard on these things because it is a completely new challenge for me. I have to train every day and get my confidence back.”

Mumbai City, FC Goa dynamics

The former Goa coach Lobera has led Mumbai to a potential first place and they're primed for a AFC Champions League spot. Juan Ferrando assured that dynamics involved hold little sway on him. “For me, it is a normal game. Of course, we want to get three points. We want to prepare our plan and to execute it on the pitch.

"Our target is to be in the playoffs, to improve game-by-game. We need to continue working on some details. Because in the last game, we had some problems. But, it is not special because it is not the final or the semi-finals.”

String of draws

FC Goa are unbeaten in eight games, but five of them have been stalemates. “At the end, it is the conclusion. If we drew because our plan was not good, then I could have understood. I think against Kerala and East Bengal it was very difficult because there were ten players on the pitch. The defensive line was very different.

"Against NorthEast, I am disappointed because we conceded two penalties. We were not good in press and the foul was committed. I am disappointed at this, but the draws were not because the other team was better than us. The game is 90 minutes. It is necessary to put focus for 90 minutes.”

Pressure while playing

Juan Ferrando insists that there is pressure for all the matches, but that is because of the undying need for victory rather than the enormity of the opposition. “A lot of players in Mumbai have played together for three years. In my case, it is the first time they are playing together. We have pressure every game. Every training session as well.

"Even against NorthEast we had pressure. We want to get three points. We need to improve a lot of details. Tomorrow is the same. But, the pressure is not because of the opposition team, be it Mumbai or NorthEast. It is necessary to control these emotions. But, there exists pressure everyday because this team, this club needs to win all the time.”

Navigating squad through injuries & suspensions

FC Goa have had a fair share of injury issues and suspensions to deal with. “Of course, it is difficult when there are a lot of problems with injuries or red cards. It is necessary to be ready in football. We have some problems, so we might need to change the lineup or the squad.

"In this moment, it is necessary to be ready and to prepare for the games. I get upset if we need to change the lineup one day before the games. But, when you have 3-4 days, I have time to prepare the plan," Juan Ferrando said.

New Arrivals

New signings Amarjit Kiyam, Adil Khan, Glan Martins and Dheeraj have already featured for the Gaurs, during the last two games. “For me, it is necessary that they understand about the two points. Firstly, they need to put in hardwork on the pitch. Secondly, it is necessary to learn about football. This is my target. To understand where the free space is, where the free man is.

"Of course for this, we need to work a lot in training. I am upset because the schedule makes it difficult. I hope this target is achieved and I can help the players because they are the future of the club and they are the future of Indian football,” the Spaniard concluded.