Last year’s semi-finalists FC Goa kick-start their Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2018-19 campaign with a trip to Guwahati to face NorthEast United FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium on Monday. The Gaurs have retained most of their squad who made a huge impact in the league in 2017-18, alongside head coach Sergio Lobera, who would be vying for the ultimate trophy in his second season with Goa. The Spaniard was present from the visitor’s end to take questions from the media ahead of their opening fixture.

Lobera started off by expressing his delight with the team over their pre-season trip which concluded recently. “We’re very happy with the work we’ve managed to do so far. I think we’ve managed to incorporate the new players very well. We’ve had an opportunity to train in some of the best facilities over the past 24 days. The feeling and the sensation we’ve had has been very positive and we are very excited to get started tomorrow.”

If not for their shaky defence, Goa would have emerged as the best team in the league last year. But the Spanish coach insisted that they were working on improving their backline, without compensating on their attacking firepower. “It’s clearly the coach’s job, running through as many things as he possibly can, and I imagine, defence is something we could have worked on last season. So that is something we’re going to be working towards this season. “

“It’s true that we have to limit our attacking abilities a little bit more, but given the season we had last season, where we broke so many records, it will be a little difficult. But having said that, we are a team built to be offensive, so we’ll be taking risks and certain elements of play will be more attacking in that sense. I always prefer to win a match by two goals than one,”, he remarked.

Goa did not have the best records against the Highlanders last year, failing to win either of their league games, but Lobera maintained that past results will not influence the tie. “I think every year, every team and every situation that we find ourselves in is different. So, I don’t think there is anything to be worried about from last season. With all due respect to them, it’s a team that was constructed newly, with a lot of expectations from their fans and from their club as well. So I expect them to give a tough challenge and I expect a tough match tomorrow. But I think the results of last year have nothing to do with how this year will be.”

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