Mumbai City FC kick-start their 2018-19 season of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) against Jamshedpur FC at the Mumbai Football Arena on Tuesday. The Islanders enter their season opener with a host of new signings done during the summer transfer window, in addition to the appointment of Jorge Costa as head coach.

Prior to the match, indiansuperleague.com caught up exclusively with their star player Lucian Goian. The Romanian defender spoke about Costa as well as their preparations for the tie against Jamshedpur. Here are the excerpts:

On new head coach Jorge Costa.

He’s a new coach. He didn’t have an easy job until now and we know it is not going to be easy with a completely new team. We hope that we do our best and not disappoint him because we are professionals. I think the strong point is the fact that he was playing at a high level, he was coaching some important teams in Europe, he knows performance and winning mentality and he will probably try to give these qualities to us as well.

On the club’s preparations for their season opener against Jamshedpur.

From the first day we met, we have been thinking about the first game because we have been training for this and the whole season. However, the first step is very important. Naturally, we are playing at home in front of our amazing fans and this is going to be a positive thing for us. We know they will be there for us, to support us and it is very important for us to not disappoint them. Like I said, every time we are waiting for the first game as this is what we train for.

On the main threat from Jamshedpur’s end.

We are not thinking about one man. The whole team, I think, is a threat for us. It is important for us to be ready and I hope to be ready. We have to show on the pitch that we are ready when the game starts, we have to show a good attitude and ensure what we are doing. They cannot surprise us.

On how the new signings are settling in.

Yes, it was important because some players were here in the last two seasons, so that made it easier for the players to adapt. We are all here together, we are making a group, we are a family, a team and we have to give everything for that. Like I said, everybody is confident about that and they have adapted well till now and we are waiting for the results to come.

On Mumbai’s solid defence being enough to challenge for the Hero ISL title.

I’ve said it a few times before, defence is important, but defence is not only for the four defenders. Defence is the whole team because we are an attacking unit with 11 players and defending with 11 players. To have a strong defensive team is very important. We showed that in Hero ISL 2016. We had the best defence in the league and finished the season at the top of the table and we hope to do that again.