Goa: After a not-so-good start to the season, FC Goa have come back roaring into the Indian Super League winning their last two matches. On Wednesday (December 16), the Gaurs face a strong ATK Mohun Bagan in one of the exciting clashes in the tournament.
FC Goa coach Juan Ferrando has warned his boys before the high-profile clash stating the opposition can hit back any time but are not panicking at all. “See everyone knows that ATK Mohun Bagan is a good team, they are hardworking and with too much depth,” Ferrando said in the pre-match press conference.
“Maybe the results of their last two games didn’t go to their favour, but they can hit back anytime. This game is totally different from the last few games. And yes not only Roy Krishna but the whole team is dangerous. We will stick to our natural game and won’t get panicked.”
“We didn’t have much time to prepare for this match. Two days ago we played Odisha and tomorrow we will face ATKMB, but yes our focus and target are getting three points from this match,” the Spanish coach added.
ATKMB had a great start to their season winning three consecutive matches before faltering against Jamshedpur FC. Asked about their gameplan against the Antonio Lopez Habas-coached side, Ferrando said they will play the same way as they have been.
“My plan is to make the players play in the same way, most importantly the players will improve day by day. We have to fill up the gaps in our midfield and will try not to lose the ball as we know how lethal this ATKMB team is in the counter-attacks. We have to play as a team and stop their threat against us,” he said.
Igor Angulo has been in red hot form for FC Goa scoring six times in five appearances to date. “I believe in my best 11. There are too many good players in my squad but I have to stick to my best 11. See this championship is short so I have to look for the best 11 possible,” he added.
“I have seen this boy and heard about him before too, he has been working hard with other players. I can’t tell you about the future but can tell you about the present,” Ferrando said when asked about Ishan Pandita who isn’t getting enough chances.
“But I can assure you the players are ready and waiting for one opportunity to showcase their talent. You never know with injuries and change in plans, an opportunity might come for them too.” Angulo has been their main man in front of the goal, and on Wednesday’s match, he will play an important role against ATKMB. But against a stubborn opposition defence it won’t be that easy.
“I am very impressed with Angulo. He has been showing some character. But yes, everyone in the team has been participating in the attack. Likes of Ortiz, Brandon, Romario everyone has the quality. If we are in attack the whole team is in the attack that’s how we play,” he said.
The Kolkata side have been hitting too much on counter-attacks and when asked about their plan, Ferrando said, “We cannot discuss our plans in the public forum like this. But yes everyone knows that Krishna can be lethal but at the end of the day football is a team game. It’s important to stick to the plan, this team has some special quality. As some teams relax in the last few minutes of the match but this team has the quality to play the whole match at a similar pace. They will be a difficult opponent than others.”
Like other teams, FC Goa too has been a victim of poor referring in this year’s competition. Speaking on how to find a solution, he said, “At this point it’s very difficult to say. But yeah at this point we need to help them because there are moments where they had to make decisions in one second, but it’s very important. I get agitated when the referee gives one decision and the assistant gives another. Hope that this thing will improve by time as it will be helpful for Indian football in mere future.
