Jamshedpur FC host a flamboyant FC Goa side at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur on Thursday evening. The hosts are yet to lose in Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2018-19, however, they have only managed seven points from five games, picking up a win and then four draws on the trot. Head coach Cesar Ferrando and his men will be desperate to emerge victorious against an in-form Goa, which would also boost their hopes of qualifying for the playoffs.

Ahead of the fixture against the Gaurs, Ferrando seemed positive while answering questions from the media in the pre-match press conference. “We are playing against a good team and they are playing well but we are playing at home. In the first half against Kerala Blasters we played well and if we play like that for the full 90 minutes then we can win the match,” he said.

When asked about the advantage Ferran Corominas’ suspension gives his side in the fixture, Ferrando said: “Coro is a very good player, but the team does not rely on him a lot. They are a good team without Corominas in the side and they play good football. Our preparation is not fixed on a single player, the focus is more on how the other teams play and how we can stop them.”

The 59-year-old also spoke of the need to cut down on the defensive errors, which his side have been making. “The team is improving with every match, but we need to improve our game defensively, the last two goals that we conceded came from crosses and there were about seven players in and around the box who were just ball watching. We can’t make mistakes like that again, we want to keep the ball and create chances and most importantly win games. From the first training session to now, my team has come a long way,” Ferrando said.

As far as Jamshedpur’s lack of a stable centre-back partnership this season is concerned, Ferrando pointed at their hectic schedule as one of the reasons. “If I feel a player has not played well then, I am going to make a change. Yes, centre-back partnerships are important, but I need to play the best performers. Also, we have a lot of games in a short period of time so, rotation is important,” the Spaniard opined.

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