Mumbai City FC are all set to welcome NorthEast United FC at the Mumbai Football Arena on Friday in the Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2019-20. The Islanders will be looking to displace Odisha FC and enter the top four with a win over NorthEast, who enter the fixture at the back of an eight-match winless run.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, head coach Jorge Costa shared his views on the upcoming challenge, “The game (against NorthEast) is a different game with different players. We will play against a very good team. I am sure they also want to finish in the top four and I am sure they have the quality to do so. It is something we must respect. As I always say, I trust in my work and my players and I know that if nothing untoward happens, we can finish the game with all three points.”

The 48-year-old also opined on their draw against Hyderabad FC in their previous fixture, “Now that we are just three to four games away from the end of the season, every point we gain or lose is important. We knew how important it was to win the three points. It was a difficult result for me, the players and the fans. We are here again to give our best and get the three points.”

Adding to this, he said, “It will be difficult for us, but I trust the players who will play against NorthEast. If we win, we move into the top four. I am sure that they will give their best and I am sure they will fight for the three points. I believe in my work and all my players. Before all the things we achieve in life or in football, there is a lot of hard work involved. I have been working on my system for the last two seasons and it is something I will not change.”

The Portuguese also addressed the departure of defender Sauvik Chakrabarti to Hyderabad FC, saying, “Sauvik is a wonderful guy and a very professional player. I worked with him for almost one and a half years. I think it was good for him to move to another club. It was difficult for him to lose his place. His behaviour from the first to the last training session was top notch. I think it was a good decision for both parties.”

He was joined by Diego Carlos who shed some light on their previous match against Hyderabad, “Conceding a last-minute goal is definitely no help, but it is a moment we can forget because we have more games to focus on. We need to concentrate on the next game. For me, every day I train well. I live for the game. If you train hard every day then only you can play a good game.”

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