PANJIM: Fresh from reclaiming their offensive approach and much needed goals in their hunt of making it to the knockouts, FC Goa’s Manuel Lanzarote revealed that playing alongside his countryman Ferran Corominas makes it easier to achieve the common goal – to score and win.
“When you are playing with players of the quality like Coro, who have such mobility and speed it becomes easy to achieve the common goal,” said Manuel Lanzarote.
A Ferran Corominas double, a Lanzarote penalty and Hugo’s strike on Sunday meant the Gaurs turned their five-game winless streak, with an impressive 4-0 win that also earned them their first clean sheet of the season.
The deadly duo – Coro (15) and Lanza (9) have banged in 24 of their side’s 34 goals this season, the highest by any side in the league so far.
“We also have a good understanding of each other’s styles of play. He (Coro) really helps us win matches for the team,” said Lanzarote.
FC Goa’s tiki-taka style of play has made them the most feared team in the league and the midfielder gave all credit to the coach for the success of the team.
“The coach has taught me to have an attacking mentality, believe in myself and keep loyal to the style that he is trying to teach us. He has helped by boosting my confidence and take advantage of every opportunity that comes my way during the match,” Lanzarote said.
Lanzarote has scored some stunning goals including one against Mumbai City at home, however, the Spaniard chooses his first in the league in the opening clash against Chennai City as his favourite.
“It’s special to me because it was the first one scored by me in the ISL and it also helped us get three points on the ISL points table,” explained Lanza, who is currently on fifth position with nine goals on the goals scoring chart.
The current Goa team features maximum local talent and the striker didn’t take long to spot Seriton among the lot as the best.
“I have been greatly impressed as Seriton is a very fast player and a solid defender.”
When asked to compare the level of football in Spain and India, Lanza said, “In Spain, football has been there for many years. However, in India it’s comparatively brand new. Here in India there is a lot of excitement and enthusiasm around the sport. There is a lot they can take advantage of in India with regards to the sport.”
Lanza’s heroics on the pitch has earned him a lot of fan following across the state.
“First of all, thank you to all you guys for supporting me. Before coming to India my general idea was to do my best for FC Goa; continually working to get goals. I hope they are proud of the performance and keep supporting us the way they do till the end.”
