Coming off a loss to Kerala Blasters FC, FC Pune City now take on NorthEast United FC in their third home game of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL). The hosts are in contention for a spot in the top half of the league table, and will hope that they achieve the feat immediately as a response to the previous result. Franco Colomba, Pune City’s head coach, addressed the media at the pre-match press conference along with player John Goossens and discussed his team’s approach before the vital clash.On being asked about the team’s mentality before the game, Colomba remarked, “We approach the game as a team should after a loss - that is, trying to regain the right path. The team feels the need to play a good game. We want to improve on the previous game, where we gifted the goals, by losing concentration. There is a lot of possibility to improve.”Commenting on the lack of concentration, the coach added, “Playing two games in the space of four days is tough. That has been the case with most of the teams. You need to give the players rest, and as a result, the performance graph has been erratic.”MIdfielder Manish Maithani continues to be an injury concern for the team, but Emanuele Belardi is recovering after taking a knock in the last match, although he didn’t train. “We have Arindam (Bhattacharya), and (Lalit) Thapa, who are more than capable of stepping up for the team,” Colomba said about his goalkeeper choices.John Goossens has been a late addition to the squad, but hasn’t taken much time settling down, contributing with an assist in his first game for Pune City. His assessment of the Indian players has been encouraging. “They play good football, and are eager to learn. And it helps their development when they train alongside senior players like (Konstantinos) Katsouranis who have such vast experience.” The Ajax youth graduate feels this competition will help the younger players develop, and in turn, develop the ISL.Goossens stressed on the need to focus on the game plan that the coach decides to implement against a team that is quick and passes the ball well. “We have watched them play, and the best we can do is keep our shape, play close, and do what the coach has asked of us. We have a good feeling about the game.”Colomba trailed off ruing not being able to make substitutions according to his game plan due to unavoidable circumstances, as he could not give Israil Gurung a run in the previous match. “I try to play players with more experience more often, and change the team according to the situation. My most important focus is equilibrium in the team.”
