PRE-MATCH QUIPS: Molina says Goa are strong and they will fight; Zico: We have to give our best
ATLETICO DE KOLKATA cannot take it easy as they are yet not through to the semi finals. Facing a FC Goa side who can still make it through with good results in the remaining games, ATK will not take it easy tonight.
Speaking to the press in the pre-match conference, Molina about tonight's fixture and the fact that Goa have never beaten ATK in the ISL, said,
“FC Goa is a great team with strong players…They are a good team with very strong attackers.What has happened in the past is in the past. I do not live in the past, I live in the present… From here on every ISL match is tough, anything can happen as all teams are very strong. Goa is a strong team and I'm sure they will fight a lot.”
Zico speaking on the state of affairs the FC Goa are in, with regard to the qualification battle, said,
“Everyone is very conscious of the fact that we have three matches ahead and that we must win all three games. We did not want to be in this situation but now that we are here, we have to give our best,”
Talking about the threat that ATK possess and FC Goa will be up against, Zico said,
"It is a very good team with great players, with a very good attack, and we have to play our best against them. We had a very good game against them in Kolkata where we created a lot of chances and we will try to repeat that in this game and not give them any chance for victory.”
ATK have not won in the last three games. Infact, the last three games have been draws. The last game ended in a late goal being conceded to give away two points. Talking about the last game and how they would approach Molina said,
“The only problem we had in the last match was that we made some mistakes. If not for them, we would have won the match. It is important to play the same way and not make mistakes,”
Zico speaking about the season for FC Goa so far pointed out why the team has not been able to deliver good performances, said,
“In some games, we wasted so many chances to win the game and points, and even in the last game we had a clearly opportunity from which we could have won the game,”
On a question on how they would deal with the attacking style of Zico's men, the ATK Coach replied,
"I think Goa will try to attack but we will play our game. We will try to control the game, we will try to do different styles. We will try to dominate.”
Zico has always spoken about the attacking mentality of FC Goa but the fact remains that Goa have conceded the maximum goals this season. To this Zico said,
“I think in the last game, we have been solid in defence and I hope in this game our defence will be tight again and I don't separate the team on basis of defence or attack as both need to help each other and I see the team as a whole"
Injury Update
FC Goa: Julio Cesar are fit to be involved in the game.Sanjay Balmuchu, Denzil Franco and Lucio will be unavailable for selection.
Atletico de Kolkata: Molina said he could not take a call if Iain Hume, Sameehg Doutie and Henrique Sereno would be available for selection.
