Mumbai City FC take on local rivals FC Pune City in Hero Indian Super League 2018-19’s first ‘Maha Derby’ at the Mumbai Football Arena on Friday. The Islanders will be looking forward to this derby and will view it as an opportunity to register their first win of the campaign after an unimpressive start, claiming just one point out of a possible six.

Ahead of the matchday, Jorge Costa, head coach of Mumbai, was present at the press conference to take questions from the media. He began by speaking about his team’s dismal start to the season but looked hopeful about getting things back on track. “The results we’ve got until now were not the results that we wanted. Especially in the first game, the home game. We are working and we’re working good, and I still have the same confidence in my team. I’m hoping that tomorrow we can do better than the first game and I’m hoping that we can get three points.”

The 47-year-old was asked about the Islanders’ preparations and recent performances. “I’m happy with the team and my players. Yes, it’s true that we started our preparation a little later. It’s also true that we are building a new team, but this cannot be an excuse and we cannot find excuses. We are working hard every day and I’m sure that tomorrow we’ll do much better than the first game.”

Costa also shared his thoughts on Pune, while stressing that his team are in a transition period. “They are a very good team. I told you before that we are building our team, it’s a new team, new players. And Pune have nearly the same team as last season, so they have an advantage. They are a very good team and have a very good coach. They play only one game, but they are something special.”

The Portuguese head coach ended the conference by providing an update on Matías Mirabaje’s fitness. “Yes, we have the same injuries (as those before the last game). For tomorrow, Matías Mirabaje cannot play,” he said.

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