FC Goa’s Lenny Rodrigues has singled out his team’s match-up against Mumbai City FC as the one he is ‘personally’ looking forward to in the 2020-21 Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL). Lenny will come up against his ex-head coach (Sergio Lobera) as well as quite a few former teammates on November 25 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda in what will be their second match of the season.

"Personally, I want to give my best for every match. Last season we had a very good squad. I personally want to face Mumbai City FC as many players who were playing for FC Goa are playing there now,” the midfielder told reporters.  

As the new season comes closer, the midfielder emphasized the importance of gelling as a group. “We are giving our best every day to be fit enough for the competition. It's difficult. There are quite a few new players. We have to adjust to them. We do training twice a day so that we can gel very well.

“Last season and before that as well, I had a good understanding with [Ahmed] Jahouh and the others. This season also we have very good players. I want to give my best the way I have done before. We have to stick to the strategy that the coach [Juan Ferrando] shares in training sessions,” he said.

FC Goa will also be participating in the AFC Champions League this season but the 33-year-old Goan made it clear that at present they weren’t looking too far ahead.  

“Right now we are not thinking about the AFC Champions League but only ISL …We play our first game on 22nd [against Bengaluru FC]. We have lost two finals [in the Hero ISL] so far. This time, we have a young squad and a lot of experienced players too, along with a new coach.

“This time, we expect to win the ISL. But we will be looking at it match-by-match. We will give our best in both competitions,” he said.