September 29 will witness the commencement of the 2018-19 season of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL), where ten clubs from across the country will clash swords to take the coveted trophy home. On Monday, the final stage of the Hero ISL Media Day was held at Mumbai, where the respective players and coaches from FC Pune City, FC Goa, Delhi Dynamos FC and Mumbai City FC were present to address the media ahead of the new season. 

Playing the Portuguese way 

The Islanders have signed on board a new head coach earlier this summer and also have made an influx of new signings. After a successful pre-season in Thailand, Mumbai City are ready to lay claim on the title under Jorge Costa. Speaking on the positives garnered from pre-season, he said, "It is a very important aspect. The players must be confident. We still have a few days in hand and we will like to work hard and give a good response in our first match." 

When asked what brand of football the Mumbai faithful will see from the club under his stewardship, the Portuguese replied, “I like to play the Portuguese way. I have my own ways of playing. I have my players whom I respect a lot and I would play the way which would bring out the maximum from them. Yes, I want to have the ball and we will have to fight for the ball, but game by game, we will evolve.” 

Entertaining football on the cards 

In his first season in India, Delhi Dynamos’ new head coach Josep Gombau would be looking to ensure the Lions don’t repeat the disappointment of 2017-18. The Spaniard is expected to bring a refreshing change to the style of football played in the club, and when asked the same, he answered “More than tiki-taka, we like to have the ball and attack. We have the responsibility to play entertaining football so that the fans who come to see us enjoy. People come when they enjoy and in this way, football in India will grow." 

He also shed light on what his objectives are ahead of the new season, "The aim of every single coach is to win the league. We try and after that, you don't have any control over what happens. The team might start with certain difficulties, but with some good results, things will be positive. I am very happy with the squad that I have and I am confident. But the league will be very competitive and we will try to win.” 

Happiness of fans the primary aim 

After a stint as an FC Pune City player in Hero ISL 2016, Tato returns as FC Goa’s assistant coach in the 2018-19 season under head coach Sergio Lobera. Present from the Gaurs’ end to address the media, Teto shared the club’s season objectives, “Our idea is to win, but we want to play good football as well. Last season the fans enjoyed our football a lot and we want to keep playing that way. We have the best fans so we must give them something back. This is our principle objective this season.” 

Though Goa’s attack was stellar last season, the shaky defence failed to take them the whole distance. Teto also agreed on the same and spoke about improving certain aspects, “After Lobera's arrival, there has been a change of style. The beginning was not easy because you have to take the risk in defence and increase bodies in attack to create lots of chances. But we must improve little things from the past. No change in style but we have to improve some things.” 

A confident approach to the season 

Former Delhi Dynamos head coach Miguel Portugal will be helming the Stallions in the 2018-19 edition. Though Delhi had a disappointing season, Portugal finished the campaign on a six-match unbeaten streak, something he would want to carry forward in Pune. When asked about his new job, he said, “For me, it's another challenge. My thanks to Delhi. I was really happy there but now I have signed for Pune. I have confidence in Pune. We have very good players. We will try to improve position ranking. It’s not easy but I have confidence in our philosophy.” 

The Spaniard also gave an update on Pune’s new star recruit Iain Hume, who will be missing the start of the season due to an injury. “I think, in December it is possible that he (Hume) can play. That is my opinion. He is now working very hard on fitness. I think by end November or December, he might be okay,” Portugal informed.