NorthEast United FC head coach Juan Pedro Benali feels his team must approach every game as the final as they begin their second phase of their Indian Super League (ISL) campaign against Jamshedpur FC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex on Wednesday. 

The Highlanders are in the sixth spot in the table after 12 matches but Jamshedpur FC who are tenth can go above them with a victory on Wednesday. The fight for the playoff spot is expected to heat up in the coming weeks and Benali doesn’t want to give his rivals an inch. 

“For us, every game is important, every game is a final,” Benali said ahead of the match against Jamshedpur FC. 

“We try to do as best as we can and most importantly get a good result,” he added. 

Up next: A trip to the city of steel 🏟️#NEUFC resume the final leg of #ISL10 journey with a matchup against Jamshedpur FC. Let’s do this! ⚡️#StrongerAsOne #8States1United pic.twitter.com/5HcouKdGkc

— NorthEast United FC (@NEUtdFC) January 28, 2024

The Spaniard expects a tough game against the Men of Steel who beat them in the Kalinga Super Cup game a few weeks ago but believes the match on Wednesday will be different. 

“We won't think about the past, we are only looking at the future. It will be a totally different game on Wednesday. This will be the fifth game we will play against Jamshedpur FC this season. We will give our best,” he said. 

“Jamshedpur FC are a strong team with very good players. They are a team that will make it difficult for you to play. It will be a good game between two tough teams,” he added. 

NorthEast United FC have signed defender Hamza Regragui and forward Tomi Juric in the transfer window and Benali feels the new players are slowly settling into the team. 

“They are slowly trying to be part of the team. They must be welcomed by the team and the fans and I hope they give us the push we need for the last 10 games of the ISL,” he said. 

Forward Nestor Albiach accompanied Benali in the pre-match press conference and spoke about his carrying his Kalinga Super Cup form into the ISL. The Spaniard scored three goals in the competition. 

“I was the team's top scorer in the Kalinga Super Cup. I hope to keep the same performance in the ISL and help the team get three points,” he said.