Lucio downplays duel with Mendoza, but FC Goa's fate depends on it

FC GOA marquee player Lucio da Silva Ferreira has ruled out the idea that the ISL final is especially going to be a contest between him and Chennaiyin FC striker Stiven Mendoza.

Speaking to reporters before Sunday's mega final match at Fatorda, Lucio said,

"I do not think it's going to be a fight between Mendoza and Lucio. It's not a tennis match, it's a football game."

Although the ex Bayern Munich centre back wants to downplay the personal battle angle ahead of the high-pressure culmination of what has been an extremely competitive edition of ISL, it's obvious that the Colombian striker is not far from his thoughts.

Back on 11th October, Mendoza had scored a hat-trick on this very ground. FC Goa had been beaten by Chennaiyin FC 0-4, and it was a defeat they had to work hard to rise out of.

Neither Lucio nor any of the FC Goa players will want history to repeat itself. And there's little doubt that Lucio will be the man entrusted with the tough task of stopping Mendoza.