In a repeat of the 2017-18 semi-final of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL), FC Goa take on Chennaiyin FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Saturday. The Gaurs come into this match on the back of a 2-2 draw against NorthEast United FC and would be aiming to pick up maximum points against the defending champions, who themselves lost their season opener to Bengaluru FC. At the pre-match press conference held on Friday, Goa’s head coach Sergio Lobera was present to share his thoughts on the match.

The Spaniard began by expressing his confidence in his men ahead of the big tie with Chennaiyin. “The squad is fit and good. I am confident about my team. Last season, we won here and we hope we can repeat that result. I think our style of football makes us strong. We have built the squad based on this style. We are made to play this style of football. As a coach, there is some aspect we have to work on, defence-wise. But we play attacking football and we look forward to playing that.”

Talking about the backbone of his opponents, Lobera acknowledged that the foreign contingent of defenders in the squad makes Chennaiyin a force to reckon with. “I think, if we look at the first eleven they played in the first game, they still have three foreigners at the back which is similar to last season. The name might have changed but, I think, Chennaiyin have a strong squad and defensively they will be strong.”

When asked about Mohammad Nawaz, who made his debut against NorthEast between the sticks, Lobera backed his keeper despite his errors in goal. “I don’t think that his (Nawaz’s) personal mistake is big. It can happen to anyone. I cannot base my decision on that. I will play the player who is best. When I was 18 years old, I used to make more mistakes than Nawaz made.”

The 41-year-old concluded by talking about the kind of strategy his side will implement as well as the areas that Chennaiyin can hurt them the most. “Last season, Chennai had a defensive mentality and we had an attacking mentality and we lost the playoffs against them. In football, everything is about finding the balance and I think, we are a team that is attacking. Chennai are very dangerous in set-pieces.”

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