Juan Ferrando gives update on Brandon and Airam's injuries

The FC Goa head coach also opened up on his side's opponents Bengaluru FC.

FC Goa lock horns with Bengaluru FC in their next encounter at the GMC Athletic Stadium, Bambolim on Saturday. Juan Ferrando and co bounced back in their previous match, defeating SC East Bengal 4-3. They will now be expecting to move forward and register another win against a beleaguered Bengaluru FC side.

Meanwhile, Bengaluru FC haven’t registered a win in their last four fixtures and will be hopeful of getting a positive result on Saturday. Ahead of the fixture, FC Goa head coach Juan Ferrando and midfielder Alberto Noguera addressed in the pre-match press conference.

FC Goa favourites against Bengaluru FC?

After a disappointing start to their league campaign, FC Goa have started to deliver since their last encounter. Their opponents, however, are not in their best of forms. Bengaluru FC have lost their last two games. Despite the circumstances, Juan Ferrando felt the Gaurs are not the favourites going into the game.

“I think in this league there are no favourites. The games are crazy. Look at the final results. The most important for me is that the players should think it's easy and work like a team, like in the last match, because there was pressure. When you are a coach and you want to see the players are working hard. It is the most important thing for me, favourites or not. Trust me, at this moment it is very difficult," he said.

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Injuries

Brandon Fernandes and Airam Cabrera have been injured and were forced to be absent in a few games in the league this season. Ferrando gave an update on the status of the pair's injuries.

“This injury is from his (Brandon Fernandes) time with the national team one month ago. The process of recovery is very difficult because more or less, it’s the same injury as the last season. He is working with doctors and physios. Of course, we want him because he is an important player for us. We are talking with the physios and the doctor on a regular basis," the tactician answered, speaking about Brandon Fernandes' injury.

"The rest of the teammates and also the coach are there only to support him. But it very difficult to tell when he will be ready to help the team,” he added.

Airam Cabrera missed the last two matches for FC Goa due to an injury as well. “We’ll see. We are waiting. He joined the team yesterday and did some exercises. Today he has a test (medical). His injury is a difficult one. It's near to the groin. This season we are unlucky with injuries," Ferrando mentioned.

Approaching the Bengaluru FC match

With a win already in their bag, the Gaurs will be aiming nothing short of another victory against the Blues. “We’ll see. Of course, we will prepare one plan. We will prepare the offensive and defensive aspects of our plan and see what happens," Juan Ferrando remarked.

"I think that at this moment, the most important thing is that the players should stay confident on the pitch, keep calm when they have the ball and in possessional attack, try to find spaces and also pay attention during transitions," he continued.

"I think that if we pay attention to these three details, we will surely get success,” he added.

What compelled Ferrando to use a 3-5-2 formation against SC East Bengal

FC Goa witnessed a change in formation in their previous match against SC East Bengal. What made the tactician to opt for a change? Juan Ferrando spoke in detail.

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“This question should be for the players. If you are taking about the system, it’s not their mistake. Normally when we are in build-up, we can use Edu (Bedia), Alberto (Noguera) and Glan (Martins) between centre-backs. While in build-up, in case we lose the ball and there is a transition, there is one extra player to primarily press and to close the spaces for the opponent. This is why we decided to play in this system," he stated.

"In the end, the players are confident with and without the ball - and this is more important for them," Juan Ferrando explained.

So many goals in the league

There have been multiple high-scoring fixtures this season and the total goals' tally has already reached 83. The FC Goa boss claimed it may be because the players are losing concentration.

“It’s difficult to explain. Maybe there are problems in transitions, maybe it's because we are losing concentration. Maybe it's because the teams are working hard in the offensive set-pieces and are getting success," he quipped.

"There are a lot of reasons. Of course, I am thinking only about my team. I know the problems in my team only and it's difficult for me to speak about the rest of the teams," he added.

Worried about defence?

Although FC Goa won their previous game against SC East Bengal, they conceded three goals in the process. FC Goa have already conceded 11 goals this season, the second highest in the Indian Super League. Juan Ferrando felt his team needs to pay more attention to details.

“During both defence and attack, the responsibility is of the entire team. The entire team will press, close lines of passing, work in defence and also in the attack – this is what we have decided," he stated.

"It’s not only for the centre-backs or the full-backs or the goalkeepers. Of course, maybe we need to put attention to detail. In our style, the most important aspect is pressing. When it’s not good and we have some problems in coordination while pressing, then it becomes difficult for the defence line. Responsibility is primarily for me, of course. And then for all the players,” he continued.

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Alberto Noguera's comments

Change in mood in the dressing room

It was expected that a much-needed win in the last match must have changed the atmosphere in the dressing room and the midfielder confirmed it.

“It’s true that we were waiting for this win since long. The team is always in the same mood – always with confidence and we are always looking to win. We have the will to try harder every day. It’s just one more day that we need to keep going and look for the next match and next three points," he said.

Happy with the two goals in the last game?

Noguera scored a brace in the last match, the first of which came on the 14th minute, while the second was on the 79th minute.

“I’m always happy to help the team. I’m here for that - helping my teammates and the team. I’m happy because we won,” he declared.

Adapt to the new formation

"Sometimes it’s difficult, but like the coach said, for us the formation is not the most important. It’s more about the confidence because we believe that we need to cover spaces. We don’t stay very focused on the formation because we use movement and the spaces and just take advantage of the other teams. Sometimes we play a 4-4-2 and at other times a 3-5-2. So, for us, we try to play how we know to, which is by moving the ball," the Spaniard explained.

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