Hyderabad FC can beat any team, warns Manolo Marquez

The Nizams thumped defending champions Mumbai City in their previous match.

Hyderabad FC face Jamshedpur FC in their next Indian Super League 2021-22 match on Thursday. The Nizams made a huge statement in their previous game after beating defending champions Mumbai City FC by a 3-1 scoreline. Manolo Marquez lauded his players after a fabulous performance against the reigning ISL champions. 

Goals from Joao Victor, Bartholomew Ogbeche and Rohit Danu rallied to provide the team its first win of the season. Although the Nizams are coming from a positive result, the upcoming clash against Jamshedpur FC will be very challenging for them. Both teams are entering the contest on the back of impressive wins and their objectives remain similar.

Manolo Marquez interacted with the press in the pre-match conference on Tuesday, speaking about the team, their performance in the previous game and more.

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Morale after the impressive performance

Manolo Marquez was quizzed regarding the effect the victory over Mumbai City left on the players. “When you win a game, the team is always happy and (against) the current champions, the morale is high. Even after we lost the first game. But now after Mumbai City, we have recovered more or less our morale. But I repeat, in this competition, you can win against the current champions but lose against the last team in the league.

“We showed that we can beat any team...you cannot recover the points dropped against Chennaiyin but this is a long race and there will be some days where you deserve to win and do not win,” he added.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4lLDxK27y0

Feelings after the result

"I am very happy, all the staff and for sure all the fans and people from Hyderabad," the Spaniard revealed. "The last game was perfect because it was the opposite to the first game. In the first game, we had the ball, we created chances but we didn’t score," he added.

"The other day Mumbai had the ball more than us but we scored three goals. I think our defensive work generally was very good,” he opined.

Praise for the opponents

Manolo Marquez seemed to be aware of the challenges Jamshedpur will pose against his side in the upcoming game and did not underestimate their quality.

“Owen Coyle’s teams are always tough opponents. For example, both games finished as draws last season. This season they have players that (help them) play another style of football. Last season, they played more direct and this year with Greg Stewart, they play more with the ball. They have a lot of the same players from last season and more or less it's a team that is a clear candidate to fight for the top-four,” he quipped.

“Of course, Jamshedpur won against a strong team and the same for us but even if one of the teams did not win the game, the plans would be very similar. We have to play with our style and Jamshedpur will try to play with their style. I think that it will be again a very equal game,” the 53-year-old added.

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Importance of the Indian players

The Hyderabad FC boss reinforced his satisfaction with the foreign contingent at his disposal. He also indicated that players like Rohit Danu will continue to play major roles this season.

“We have six foreigners and we are happy with the foreigners that we have. They were very important in the game, but you have to play with at least seven local players," he stated.

"For sure, not only in Hyderabad, you are looking that there more good Indian players showing their level and personality. The other day, it was Rohit Danu in our team. We have young players that will play minutes in the upcoming games.

“They have very good players in every part of the pitch. Valskis and Murray finish all the work but they have fast and skillful wingers, they have Jitendra, Pronay, Lima, Mobashir...I think they have very good players in every position,” he concluded.

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