PRE GAME QUIPS: Goa and Pune coaches eye maiden campaign victory above all else

MATCHDAY 7 FC GOA HOST FC PUNE CITY looks promising to be a thorough entertainment as both teams would be raring to bag their first points.

FC Pune City lost their opener at home against Mumbai City FC. Speaking to the reporters on Friday assistant coach Miguel said,

“There is no distinction between home and away matches for us. The approach for all the games is the same, we always play to get full points. I have been building the team right from the pre-season, we have played one match and lost but we have to keep building the team"

Finishing runners-up last season Zico has made it clear that the fans will get to see an improved performance from his players and they will give their all for the fans.

“You can be sure that we are going to come with all that we have. On the ground, we will give everything and I request the fans to keep supporting us. The relationship that we have with our fans gives us strength to give our very best” , said Zico

Asked if he would be changing his philosophy after the first game loss replied on somewhat a firm note,

“It is a pleasure to be back in Goa to start the new season here. I’m not going to change my philosophy of the game just because of a loss. The day I decide to change my philosophy, I will stop coaching. My philosophy is always to play forward and look for the goal, look for the victory. This is the message I always pass to my players”

If Pune Coach Habas, who is still serving the touchline ban may make a difference with his absence, Miguel said,

“Antonio Habas is our leader and the entire team will work as per his instructions. It is important to understand that only 11 players are required on the field and not the coach.”

To FC Goa head coach Zico, the scoreline didn't reflect how his team fared on that day. He said,

“The positive we can take is that, we had lot more possession, we shot more, we had more corners, we dominated a great part of the game, we had good chances but we could not finish them and they came with three shots and scored twice"

Zico spoke in favour of Kattimani for the error commenting,

"Kattimani has a lot of credibility, a lot of good results that we had in the last two years were due to his good performance, he knows about his position, he is one who cannot make mistakes, I hope he is more careful…I always tell my players to avoid giving the ball back to the goalkeeper, he does not have many resources at the back, he should shoot the ball forward,” Zico said.

“These incidents have happened in the Champions league, in the World Cup. He just needs to be more careful about that. If goalkeeper would be good with their feet, they would play in the outfield and not be the goalkeeper"

Miguel answering a question if the next game would feature Sissoko said,

“He is fit but I do want to comment if he is going to play or not. Both new signings are fit and can take the field if necessary"

On injuries, Zico shared that Luciano Sobrosa, Gregory Arnolin and Debabrata Roy will again be unavailable for selection due to injury.

With Miguel, was also Lenny Rodrigues, who was asked if he was under pressure for the game replied

“Not really. One must learn to handle pressure. I have played two seasons against Goa"

But Rodrigues admitted that Goa weren't an easy team to beat

“It is always difficult playing against Goa. Very difficult playing against Goa"

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