PUNE HAVE GATHERED 3 points from two games an have conceded in each of their 2 games. Miguel said their primary motive would be to not concede in the next game. He further said,
“The first thing is try to finish with a clean sheet. Not to concede goals. That’s where we have to improve. The second is to be more aggressive. The positive meaning of aggressive. More competitive on the field. That means we show to the opponent we are going after them from the first minute to the last. The positive meaning of aggression in line with the rules of the game"
NEUFC on the other hand had a good spell in the first two games with registering victories but slumped to defeat at Mumbai.
The Portuguese said,
“Tomorrow will be a hard game of course for us because the game for us in Mumbai was very hard. We lost but it was our best game yet. We had a great performance and we created many chances and I think with this organization and performance we hope to create a lot of difficulties for Pune tomorrow. I respect Pune and they have a good team. They got a good result in Goa. We need to reach the same level as we did in Mumbai and we should convert our chances.”
Pune would be the first team in this ISL season to play 3 home games back to back. Commenting how he saw this for the team Miguel said,
“The thing is we are ready to compete. We are playing NEUFC now and our focus is on that, only one game. We know we are playing three games in a row at home.”
NorthEast are playing their fourth game, if there was a problem of fatigue for the players Vinagda said,
“It has been tough for us because we have played three games in six days and tomorrow we are playing our fourth game. In some way, maybe not so fair. But whatever, this schedule is not easy in any country, at least at the start. But the league is very good, well organized…Anyway, no excuses. This draw was made long back and I knew it before I came here. It is my obligation to prepare because it is not easy, but I have to prepare the players for this challenge.”
Miguel, on the mental attitude of the players ahead of the game, shared,
“Mentality is always the same. If we are play a top-ranked team or lower, our objective is to try and win and get the three points. For that we need the support of our Orange Army. We need the 12th man’s support from the stands”
On the question of giving players rest and sitting the key players out Coach Vingada said,
"I am not that kind of coach, even though this league is special and is such that you need to change players. For this game we may have one to two changes, maximum. I am not thinking about my game on Saturday [vs Delhi Dynamos FC]. Players need to be playing too. So I won’t change much. For me tomorrow’s game is most important, the final for me. I will focus on the squad for that game. It won’t be easy but in football, everything is possible”
He concluded,
"The target is to finish in the first four teams. Right now we have to focus on only that aspect.”
Pune City had to make a hurried signing and managing to get Sissoko when they lost their marquee Gudjohnsen. Sissoko started in the last game and played a pivotal role.
Defender Bheke was also present alongside Miguel, speaking about the experience playing with foreign players said
"Playing with the overseas players is important. They help us and guide us throughout the season. That’s what we Indian players want”
About playing with their marquee, Bheke said
"Sissoko has come here with a lot of experience. We feel much stronger after he has come.”