Manolo Marquez wants playoffs secured, Ivan Vukomanovic to try new formation

Hyderabad FC are at the top with 32 points.

Hyderabad FC are sitting comfortably at the top of the Indian Super League table with 32 points. The Nizams enter this game on the back of a 3-2 win against FC Goa. Manolo Marquez will be hopeful that his side maintain their ongoing momentum against the Blasters as well.

Meanwhile, Kerala Blasters have 27 points in their bag with an extra game in hand than their opponents. Their past five encounters have been full of ups and downs. The mastermind, Ivan Vukomanovic will aim for all three points since Bengaluru FC and Mumbai City are just a point and two behind them respectively. At this point, the tactician will be focused to seal their spot in the playoffs. A point or a loss won't be of much help.

Ahead of the match, coaches Manolo Marquez and Ivan Vukomanovic addressed the media and shared their thoughts.

Hyderabad FC coach Manolo Marquez

Looking ahead to game

Manolo Marquez: Preparation is typically the same for every game. Of course, every opponent is different and you know which are the qualities of each opponent. We are very close to the end of the season and we have to be focused on Kerala Blasters. We don’t know exactly how the game will be, but it will be a tough game for both teams. Every game is difficult. Of course, I would like to play teams that are not in the fight for the top four. But, if you win these games, it is not only three points for you but three points less for one of the opponents.

Always looking for improvement

Manolo Marquez: I am always looking for improvement. The perfect team does not exist and you can always improve. I was happy with the score against Goa, but it was one of the days when our defence did not defend well. The season has been fantastic for Hyderabad FC, but the table is not real. For me, it is strange because when you are close to the end of the season, you have to have a similar number of games to play. After we play tomorrow, we will have played two more games than ATK Mohun Bagan or Jamshedpur and this is not normal.”

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Huge incentive to win 

Manolo Marquez: If we win this, then we are mathematically in the top four. Mumbai and Kerala have to play each other and both teams cannot win. If we win tomorrow, we are 100% in the top four. Only for this reason, it is very important (to win against KBFC). If we don’t win, after every defeat the team has reacted well. We think that we can win the game and for sure it will be a tough game for Kerala too.”

Target to finish in top four

Manolo Marquez: I think the target for everyone was to finish in the top four because we finished fifth last season. The real target for us was to keep improving the players and in this case, we are very happy with the performance of the boys and the Indian youngsters. Now, we have to finish the competition in the top four. If we can, then why not become the champions.”

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Kerala Blasters coach Ivan Vukomanovic

Expectations from the match

Ivan Vukomanovic: Well, it’s another day and another match. It’s a short competition where the game keeps coming on. It’s another game on the schedule we have to play and another opponent. They are one of the best teams in the league. They are top of the table for a reason. They work with consistency and a process. They deserve to be on the top of the table. I am hoping we will be concentrated. Because against one of the best teams in the league you have to be concentrated for ninety five minutes. You have to be focused, organised and try to use their weak points. It’s a game with the stake every football player likes to play.

Substituting Bijoy a wrong decision?

Ivan Vukomanovic: Well, we have to react in those moments with the substitution because our young defender Bijoy was suffering from cramps. So, we didn’t want to take risks because we need him till the end of the competition. And maybe towards the end, those circumstances would provoke the worst injury. It happens. Sipovic was in the box and maybe if he didn’t touch the ball, it would have gone centrally to Gill. We are still positive with those things and will continue to be.

Change in formation due to Diaz's absence?

Ivan Vukomanovic: We are looking for a different type (of formation). Tomorrow we will try to explore some other things. And we will see and hope for the best. We have enough players with good quality who can be there on the pitch, so, as a coach it makes me happy.

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