Goa: FC Goa coach Juan Ferrando has stated it’s a new chapter altogether when they face Jamshedpur FC in the second leg of the India Super League at the Fatorda Stadium on Thursday (January 14). Goa emerged triumphant in the first leg winning 2-1 with Igor Angulo scoring a brace.
“We know they are very good and they have very good players, but for us, it is to improve game by game. Ofcourse we try to find our mistakes and most importantly training by training to put positive scenes. For us it is a new chapter, we are working to improve some details in defence and some details in the attack. It is most important for us, of course we don’t want to repeat the same problems against Jamshedpur,” Ferrando said in the pre-match press conference.
The Spaniard is wary of the threat Nerijus Valskis can put on the opposition and is confident to find a solution against the Lithuanian on the day. “It is important we know that Valskis is physically very strong physical in set pieces. Ofcourse we will find one solution which is not possible to explain now.
“For us, it is important to put focus and it is important to control the timing and space. Because in set-pieces at the end, ofcourse the last goal of Valskis was perfect, but the aim is to control the space,” he added on being asked about the game plan to combat Jamshedpur FC who have been good on their set-pieces.
Valskis have proved to be Jamshedpur’s talisman scoring eight goals till now. “I believe in my squad, I believe in my players. There is no one plan for just one player, no plan only for I can say Valskis, Lima or Jackichand. For us, it is most important to play like a team and to prepare the plan against one team in this case, against Jamshedpur,” Ferrando said.
Skipper Edu Bedia has played more as a defensive midfielder this season. Asked if he prefers to play in a more offensive role and get some assists and goals, Bedia said, “To be honest I can play both positions, I am comfortable playing as a no.8 or a no.6. But, speaking from my personal perspective I prefer to play as no. 6 to being able to control the game a bit more and have more touches on the ball. It is true previous years I have played higher up the pitch, but I am pretty comfortable playing the no. 6 role.”
After the first leg, Goa sit at 4th in the table with 15 points from 10 games. Speaking on the positives from the first leg, Bedia said, “From my perspective, one thing that I would like to point out is that, with the exception of the Chennaiyin game which I don’t think we played very well. We have been superior in all the other games, considering we are practically a new team and we didn’t have a big preseason as well.
“I think we have done pretty well till the point of time, I also think that the improvements we have steadily been making in the training ground in being compact and more organised as a team, we will be a lot tougher than the first leg for all the opponents.”
“It is difficult in football to be completely happy the whole time. I think that in the first round we lost 4 points in some games. But I understand it was the first time for this team, we have young players and I am happy. For example Sarineo, Devendra, Sanson, for me, I am happy for these points. Secondly, most important for me is the character of the players, the personality, because they are working hard if we lose, if we win or if we draw. After the game, everybody wants to work and improve and this for me is the most important point,” Ferrando stated.
Bedia has been a part of the ISL for four years now and this year leading Goa. Asked how he motivates the youngsters in the side, the Spaniard said, “With young players, I don’t think it’s necessary to motivate them, given that they are young and they are hungry. They are always motivated in games and training sessions anyway.
“What I try to do is, speak a lot to the younger players to the likes of Princeton, Gama, Devendra and Ishan. The key message I try to get across to them at all points is that they shouldn’t be afraid to show their personality on the pitch and not be afraid to make mistakes.
“Something I learned when I was young as well, is the more you show yourself on the pitch and the more personality you demonstrate on the pitch, the better you become. So the key is that they don’t have that mental block that they shouldn’t make mistakes rather they should improve themselves by demonstrating their personality on the pitch,” the captain concluded.
