Manolo Marquez: It's good news that not only Aridane is scoring goals

The Spaniard spoke ahead of his side's clash against NorthEast United on Friday.

Hyderabad FC continue their journey in the 2020-21 Indian Super League, as they take on NorthEast United on Friday. NorthEast have not been in the best of form and are winless in their last five games. On the other hand, back to winning ways in style against Chennaiyin FC, the Nizams will look to gain momentum and fight for entry into the top four. Ahead of the game against the Highlanders, head coach Manolo Marquez spoke to the media about the preparations for the game.

Top four impossible to predict

NorthEast United are currently placed seventh in the league table, one spot below hosts Hyderabad FC. A win will take the Nizams to the fourth, whereas a negative result will give opportunities to the Highlanders and Chennaiyin to go ahead of them. Manolo Marquez is well aware of this. According to him, all teams except Mumbai City FC and ATK Mohun Bagan are equal to each other in quality. 

“Mumbai City and ATK Mohun Bagan are better than others. Odisha, East Bengal and Kerala, I think all the teams are equal. It's impossible to say who'll be in the top four,” commented the Spaniard. Citing his views on the movements in the table based on tomorrow’s results, he further added, “If we win against NorthEast United, we will be in the top four, but you have to improve game-by-game and see what happens.”

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Anyone’s game

NorthEast United are winless in their last five games, but Hydrerabad FC will not take them lightly, said Manolo Marquez. He believes that the Highlanders are in the same situation in which Hyderabad were before the last game. He said, “The other day we won 4-1 after three consecutive defeats. The same NorthEast United started the competition six games without losing, but now they didn't win the last five games,” he pointed out.

Lack of playing time prime reason behind injuries

This season has been particularly tough for all the teams regarding fitness issues and the COVID-19 pandemic is to be blamed for this, believes Manolo Marquez. The Spaniard had earlier spoken about Indian players getting more tired than foreigners and this problem is not only in his team, but is also being faced by other sides. 

“There are foreign players with more level (of fitness) than Indians and there are some Indian players with more levels than foreigners. All Indian players last played in March and then in November. But, a lot of foreign players could continue the competitions, like there are some Spanish players who played in Greece or Cyprus till July or August. It's not the same,” spoke Marquez. The league schedule is also to be blamed for this, according to the coach. “Now, I believe after a lot of consecutive games, there are some Indian players, not only in my team, who are tired and injured,” he pointed out.

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Many sources of goals

Hyderabad FC netted four goals in their easy win against Chennaiyin, but their hitman Aridane Santana couldn't find the back of the net. Speaking on this, Manolo Marquez was rather happy that other players are contributing to the scoreline as well. “Normally, you want your wingers to score, midfielders score some and defenders score some from set-pieces. 

"These are important points you look at when you sign a player,” said the Nizams’ tactician. “Somebody told me Hali (Halicharan Narzary) usually doesn't score too many goals and now with two goals against Chennaiyin, he scored three goals this season. But, of course it's good news that not only Aridane is scoring goals,” he added.

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Team News

Speaking about the players’ availability, Manolo Marquez said, “Fran (Sandaza) will not be ready for this game, but it's not a big injury. I think he can play against Mumbai City. Nikhil (Poojary) will not be available as well,” he clarified.

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