Khalid Jamil feels NorthEast United is prepared for Gallego's absence

The Highlanders confirmed the Uruguayan midfielder will miss out on the remainder of the season due to a knee injury.

Indian Super League (ISL) outfit NorthEast United will take on FC Goa in the first match of this weekend’s double-header. Khalid Jamil's side are yet to win a match and are experiencing a tough time just like their next opponents FC Goa. Both sides will be keen to bounce back and get their season back on track.

NorthEast United have lost two and drawn one in their opening three games in the league. They enter this clash on the back of a disheartening 2-1 defeat to Chennaiyin FC. Rubbing salt on the injury was watching talisman Federico Gallego carried off on a stretcher after a knock on the knee in the first-half. Later, the club announced the Uruguayan will be unavailable for the rest of the season, owing to the knee injury.

Ahead of the game, head coach Khalid Jamil and left-back Gurjinder Kumar interacted in the pre-match press conference.

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Preparations ahead of facing FC Goa

NorthEast United are desperate to open their account in the ongoing season and are trying to stay positive despite the results, ahead of their next match against FC Goa.

“Talking about this game, preparations are good. We’re thinking positive about this game as we’re playing a stronger and well organised team, so we have to be careful. We’ve to be positive and give our 100%,” he began.

Thoughts on FC Goa

FC Goa are also going through a rough patch in this season. Juan Ferrando's side have coped with heavy defeat in both of their games and have the joint-worst goal difference in ISL 2021-22. Jamil, 44, shared his thoughts on the Gaurs and said, “They’re a good team with good quality players. We’ve to play positively and not take this match lightly."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-r0mGQw39U

Team news

NorthEast United are undergoing a big crisis in terms of their players fitness. Deshorn Brown was an absentee in their last matchday squad while Federico Gallego and Hernan Santana were taken off due to injuries. Giving an update on these players, the tactician said, “Deshorn Brown has started training, but we’ll see tomorrow if he’s fit. Federico Gallego will not be available and Hernan (Santana) is available.”

NorthEast United have later released a statement, confirming that Federico Gallego will miss the remainder of the season owing to a knee injury.  

Federico Gallego's replacement

The Highlanders have looked very different with and without Federico Gallego on the pitch. When asked about how he’s planning to cope up with the Uruguayan's absence, Khalid Jamil stated that the team is prepared for it.

“Federico Gallego is a quality player. When he played 20 minutes for us in the last game, we looked good. But after his injury, we struggled. This time we’ve enough time to prepare and we hope to do positive things tomorrow. We’ve Pragyan (Gogoi), Sehnaj (Singh) and Imran (Khan) is also back,” he explained.

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Gurjinder Kumar on the squad's mood and experience with Khalid Jamil

Khalid Jamil was accompanied by defender Gurjinder Kumar, who spoke about the mood in the camp. “Mood is okay. We all know that we have to win. Even Khalid (Jamil) Sir has played and he’s well aware that such things happen. We’re positive and prepared to win tomorrow,” he answered.

“Our aim is to finish better than last season and fight for trophy. I’m trying to learn during training and we will surely do better,” he concluded.

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