PRE-MATCH QUIPS:Will fight till end: Vannucci; Vingada hopes to do better than the last game

PLAGUED WITH INJURIES and in a race to reach the semis will make a good contest to watch.

Speaking ahead of the game to the media, Vingada said, 

“Tomorrow is a crucial game for us. We started the league very well, even when we lost, we played good football. Only in the last match, our performance was not up to the mark. I regret what happened with Goa, they will be missing some players. Some of our players too cannot play due to injuries and suspension. Tomorrow is a very important game for us and hopefully we can return to our level. I see Goa as the most difficult team and have a lot of respect for them. Tomorrow hopefully, we will be much better than our last game"

FC Goa assistant Coach Fernando Vannucci, talking about the mentality of the Gaurs said,

“Zico and FC Goa’s philosophy has always been the same. That is attacking. But we have changed players this season, so we have played differently. Last game against Kerala was very tough for us as we had to go in with a depleted side due to injury"

Vingada stressed that there is no difference between home and away games saying,

“All teams have lost at home, this means playing at home is not a big advantage. There is not much difference between the teams. As we remember, the last time we played against Goa we scored the first goal and in our last match we conceded a goal, this is quite unusual… So, tomorrow playing home or away will not make a big difference. I know Goa have not yet won at home and they won’t be having some players but the players that will be on the field, they will fight for the prize"

Last game of FC Goa saw two red cards to Gregory and Richarlyson. Missing them and other keys players will be a setback for the team. On his view on this subject Vannucci said,

“Whoever takes their position will do their best and make FC Goa proud. Lucio has not been practising for a few days, we need to see his condition. We will be having a meeting between the medical staff and coaching staff, and then we will decide. But for sure, Zico is going to put out the best team that we have and we are going to do well tomorrow,”

He continued : “It will be a great game tomorrow because both teams need the victory. FC Goa, even with the loss of a few players, are showing more desire to win the game. I would like to invite all FC Goa fans to the stadium and they are going to witness a team that is going to fight till the end.”

Vingada has always been critical in comments about his team's performance. On a question about how his players took the criticism, NEUFC replied,

“I critique myself first. My team is like my second family, if there are problems in the family I will solve it. The position that I’m in, I’m supposed to tell what I’m feeling. The players were feeling the same thing. Delhi are in a good position with 16 points but that is not enough. When we had 10 points from five games, I said the same thing that it is not enough. Anything is possible for all teams including Goa.”

Vannucci to the motivation that the team looks upto to fire up in the last five games replied,

“The inspiration is in football, in football we see everything, in the first season we were at the bottom of the table at the start and then we won six games to qualify for the semi-finals. I’m not guaranteeing the same result this time but we are going to do everything in our power.”

Giving an update on the injury status of his team,Vingada shared,

"Romaric is improving, he is still not fit. It will be a risk to start with him. Nico is well now, as you know he was substituted against Chennai. Subrata is much better, he is improving but I need to see today his condition.”

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