ISL 2018-19 Team Profile: FC Goa

The Gaurs have put together some interesting signings in the summer ahead of the new campaign.

After a semi-successful last season under their belt, FC Goa go into the new Indian Super League (ISL) campaign with much confidence to replicate their previous season's performance this term. Under the coaching of Sergio Lobera, the Gaurs proved to be a worthy side, as they qualified for the playoffs by scoring the most goals in the league. This time around, the Goans have made several interesting signings and with a succesfull pre-season, they are looking one of the brightest sides in the league so far.

In the following article, we talk about FC Goa' strengths, weaknesses, probable tactics and other aspects.

Last Season’s Performance

After a forgettable 2016-17 campaign, where they finished bottom of the table, FC Goa bounced back under new coach Lobera in spectacular fashion in the next term. The team finished with the most number of goals in the league last term, totalling 43. Under the former Barcelona youth academy coach, the Gaurs finished an impressive third in the league phase in the 2017-18 campaign, with strikers Ferran Corominas and Manuel  Lanzarote, firing on all cylinders.

However, their playoff campaign was disappointing, as Goa were knocked out by eventual champions Chennaiyin FC 4-1 on aggregate.

Pre-Season

FC Goa started their pre-season in Murcia, Spain, with a first friendly match against Deportivo Minera. The Goan outfit dominated affairs and managed to comfortably overcome the Spanish Tercera Division side 3-0. Mandar Rao Desai, Edu Bedia and Liston Colaco got onto the scoresheet for the ISL franchise.

The second friendly was a one-sided affair which saw the Goan side humble FC Cartagena B 20-0, with as many as eight players getting on the scoresheet. Coro scored five goals, while newly-signed winger Jackichand Singh and Miguel Palanca as well as youth product Colaco all bagged hat-tricks.

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The third match saw the Gaurs edge FC Cartagena. Lobera’s side raced to a three-goal lead, courtesy of a Jackichand Singh goal and a brace from Coro. The Spanish side, however, got two goals back and it required a splendid save from FC Goa keeper Lalthuammawia Ralte to keep the scoreline at 3-2 in favour of the Goans. The Gaurs also managed to clinch 2-1 victories against Mar Menor FC and CD Algar, with Boumos scoring in both matches.

The Coach

Lobera led FC Goa to score the highest number of goals in the league last season

The first season under Lobera saw the Goan side enthral and captivate football-lovers with their attacking style of play. The former Barcelona academy coach came to Goa with an impressive resume. He had the task of replacing Zico and improving on the team’s dismal bottom finish in the 2016-17 season.

He started the season brightly and the Gaurs were second on the table after six matches. The Spaniard's attacking style of play brought him several admirers and kept the fans delighted. Ably assisted by Derrick Pereira, his side showed a remarkable difference in pace and energy compared to the previous campaign. However, the performances of the team dipped in the latter part of the season. A series of unfortunate results saw the Gaurs sitting in sixth spot with three matches to go, in serious danger of missing out on the playoffs. However, Lobera managed to craft three wins from the remaining games to lead Goa to the playoffs, where they lost out against a dominant Chennaiyin.

However, a lot of critics have questioned the Spanish gaffer’s lack of ideas in case his main tactic fails. This was evident during the second half of the season, when the team looked visibly tired and seeking motivation. FC Goa will be looking to pose a serious challenge for the title this time around, but for that to happen, Lobera needs to be more adaptive when his primary tactic fails. He also needs to give more chances to squad players, especially when his starters are not performing well.

Transfers

Ins: The Gaurs brought in midfielder Lenny Rodrigues from Bengaluru FC, followed by the signing of Jackichand Singh, who was a key player for Kerala Blasters last season. In July, the Goan side were again busy with transfers with the likes of goalkeeper Lalthuammawia Ralte coming from BFC and experienced Indian defender Nirmal Chettri switching from NorthEast United. They also signed Mourtada Fall, a strong Senegalese defender who has won the CAF African Champions League and the Moroccan League.

However, Goa’s most high-profile signing came in August, with the club bringing in full-back Carlos Peña. The 35-year-old Spaniard brings with him the experience of playing for top sides like Real Valladolid and Getafe and can be a threat to reckon with for the Gaurs. Miguel Palanca, another Spaniard, signed for Goa from Cypriot team Anorthosis Famagusta. The 30-year-old winger has played for teams like Elche, Espanyol as well as Real Madrid and brings great quality with him.

Another highlight of Goa’s transfer dealings was the extension of the contracts of several key players. The likes of Corominas, Jahouh and Boumous extended their deals with the club, along with local lad Pratesh Shirodkar.

Out: The biggest exit from the Gaurs was in the form of one of last year’s standout players in Manuel Lanzarote. Lanzarote signed for ATK after a stellar season with Goa, scoring 13 goals and providing six assists. Along with him Spaniard Sergio Juste and striker Mark Sifneos also left, to pursue football in Spain and Greece respectively. Manuel Arana had also left the club on loan to Delhi Dynamos midway through last season and in the summer his move was made permanent.

Amongst the Indians, the prominent departures were that of full-back Narayan Das who signed for Delhi and defensive midfielder Pronay Halder who went to ATK. Goalkeeper Naveen Kumar left for Kerala Blasters, while defender Amey Ranawade left for I-League outfit Mohun Bagan.

Formation & Tactics

The west coast side look likely to play with a 4-2-3-1 formation, as this setup brings out their biggest strength; their midfield. Both Jahouh and Bedia will play as the holding midfielders. Their passing and leadership in the middle of the park will be the key to unlocking defences. The duo dominated opposition midfields last season as Goa finished the campaign with the most number of passes completed.

FC Goa's probable lineup this season

Corominas is the undoubted choice for the striker's role. Brandon Fernandes will be playing behind him in the #10 role. The Goan lad was also impressive last season as he scored two goals and setup four more.  Brandon’s creativity will be another important factor that could determine the result of a match. He will be flanked on both sides by compatriots Mandar Rao Desai and Jackichand Singh. New signing Jackichand could be key to unlocking defences with his pace and energy.  The front four looks explosive and dangerous, capable of threatening the meanest defences in the league.

Kattimani stays as the keeper, although Lalthuammawia Ralte is also a good option. New signing Fall will play alongside Mohamed Ali in the centre of the defence. Both are solid with Fall’s pace and aerial strength being an integral factor. Spaniard Peña will play at left-back with Seriton Fernandes reprising his right-back role from last term.

Defensively Goa will be looking to form a 4-4-2, with the wingers tracking back to help with defensive duties. This lineup could change depending on the form and availability of players. Palanca is a good replacement for Coro, while Boumous can also play in the holding midfielder's role. Youngsters Liston, Princeton and Manvir Singh might also be given the occasional chance.

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Strengths

The strength of the Gaurs lies in the middle of the park. Their midfield was the key to their improvement from a last-place finish to a playoff appearance last season. The biggest achievement for the Goans this off-season was the retention of their key midfield players.

In ISL 2017-18, Jahouh completed the most number of passes, followed by Bedia. This speaks volumes of the potential the Goan side have and the ability within their ranks. Coro and new signing Palanca impressed in pre-season and Indians Jackichand and Mandar are also genuine threats, along with a technical player in Brandon.

Weaknesses

One of the biggest weaknesses in the Goan side is the goalkeeping position. First-choice keeper Laxmikant Kattimani had a very forgettable 2017-18 ISL campaign, where he repeatedly committed mistakes that led to goals. The error-prone sshot-stopper failed to keep a single clean-sheet, conceding 1.71 goals per game. He was latter dropped  for Naveen Kumar. However, with Kumar leaving for Kerala this season, Kattimani looks like the undoubted first-choice. But, he will need to improve considerably if Goa plan to pose a title challenge. 

Fixtures

FC Goa's fixtures for the first phase of ISL 2018-19

Players To Watch

Ahmed Jahouh

The midfield maestro finished last season with a whopping 1625 passes completed in 19 matches. He was dominant on the ball and made 0.97 passes per minute. The Moroccan looks all set to be the influential presence in the Gaurs’ system once again.

Defensively also, Jahouh has been a talismanic figure for Goa, as he had a league-high 105 tackles in the previous edition, along with 30 interceptions. Together with Bedia, Jahouh forms one of the most feared midfield duos in the league. The extension of his contract was a very good decision made by FC Goa and the midfielder will be keen to repay the faith shown in him.

Ferran Corominas

Coro was awarded the Golden Boot last season

18 goals in 18 matches. That was the Spaniard’s tally in last season’s ISL. The free-scoring striker terrorized defences, keeping them on edge throughout the game. The former Espanyol player brought his Spanish flair and lethal touch to Goa, as he won the Golden Boot. In the process, he also scored two hat-tricks. 

In this year's pre-season, he scored seven goals for the Goan side and looks all set to challenge for the Golden Boot again. His red-hot form and clinical finishing will be a major factor in FC Goa’s ISL campaign this term.

Jackichand Singh

The new signing is endearing himself to FC Goa fans with good pre-season performances. The winger from Manipur was impressive for Kerala Blasters last season. He had two goals and three assists from 17 matches and his performances prompted Goa to bring him in. His pace is a very good asset that can be useful for the Gaurs.

The former Royal Wahingdoh winger also has experience with the national team and for Goa he has already started with a bang. During pre-season, Jackichand scored four goals in three matches and looks at home in his new club. The former I-League Player of the Year is a very good addition to the team, who is in desperate need of Indian talent.

Tickets

The tickets of FC Goa's home games are available in PayTm. 

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What to Expect

If Goa come away this season with anything less than the title, fans will be disappointed. If last campaign was a renaissance of sorts, this term looks all set to be a revolution. The retention of the major performers from last season will be a key factor as the team has more members who are familiar with the system and can play accordingly. Goans will be hoping that the Gaurs will bring the ISL title home to the west coast and bring back glory days to the football-crazy state.