Team Herald
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
PANJIM: FC Goa have been playing excellent football overpowering their opponents maintaining maximum possession, but the results elude them. However, on Saturday, the Gaurs will look to get back to winning ways when they host their arch rivals Chennaiyin FC in the Indian Super League at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda.
“Our target is to win. But sometimes you draw and lose, maybe because of a penalty. We want to do well with young players. We are not happy conceding late penalties. We also have to think about the spaces when we lose the ball and go on to concede the penalty. It is necessary to think what happened before the penalty,“stated FC Goa coach Juan Ferrando, whose side are guilty of conceding late penalties in the game, which cost them crucial points in the league.
Saturday gives both the clubs a chance at giving their respective seasons a much-needed thrust. A win for Goa will propel up into the top four, whilst Chennai will look to win their first match since their season opener.
Ferrando mentioned that they can focus their energies on making most of the little time they have to prepare for the upcoming tie. “It is not possible to change the schedule. I like to prepare a plan and a plan B. You need time to rest. But you have to accept the schedule. It is sad that you cannot prepare so well. But no excuses, it is my job. We are trying to find a balance with different combinations.
“You have to think about the game that you are playing and the future. It is difficult to play successive games. We want to work hard. We are making the most of the time we have. Everybody is preparing well. We like to work on the pitch but (don’t have) enough time.” He added.
“If we are working hard, we will have success at the end of the season. It is always about working hard on the pitch.” Ferrando concluded.
Chennaiyin have had a tough time keeping the Gaurs at bay. The Blues have not been able to keep a clean sheet against FC Goa in their last 7 meetings. Their last clean sheet was in 2018 in the second leg of the semi-final in the 2017-18 season.
However, this time Chennaiyin are struggling to score as well and their coach Csabo Laszlo underscored the importance of scoring and staying focused.
“We want to use our strengths. We need to score goals. We should not be aggressive but focused when we get chances to score. We also have to be organised and stop Goa and we can lead the team to a win,” Laszlo added.
