We are nearly there! The Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2018-19 final between Bengaluru FC and FC Goa at the Mumbai Football Arena on March 17 promises an enthralling conclusion to what has been a fantastic season so far. The two teams have been a cut above the rest throughout the campaign and with some of the league’s top marksmen, pass masters and defenders taking to the pitch on Sunday in quest of the ultimate glory, expect 90 minutes (and possibly more) of breathtaking, edge-of-the-seat action.

While Bengaluru did narrowly edge out Goa on head-to-head to finish the league stage on top, Goa are considered by many to be the most exciting team of the campaign. This will be Goa's second probe for the ultimate prize after narrowly losing out in the 2015 season finale. At the pre-match press conference, head coach of Goa, Sergio Lobera, club captain Mandar Rao Dessai and star striker Ferran Corominas were present to share their thoughts on the grand finale.

Goa lost against Bengaluru in both their encounters this season. Asked if the head to head record may have an adverse effect on the team, Lobera said, "Whatever has happened in the past, stays in the past. A final will be a completely different game. Tomorrow the team that will win the trophy will be the team that is the best on the pitch. Bengaluru won both games in the league stages. But we come here with the intention of winning the final. We learnt from our mistakes."

Lobera also highlighted the difference in the style of play between the two teams and what he has been trying to implement since joining the club. "I don’t think Bengaluru and Goa have the same style of football. Carles (Cuadrat) and I come from the same school of football in Barcelona. But when I came here, we wanted to implement attacking football as well as having possession of the ball and that is what I have been focusing during my time in Goa," he said.

Continuing on the same note, Lobera spoke about the factors which will make a difference on the big night. "I think tomorrow, the tactics will be important. But the motivation and psychological factors will also come into place. It will be a matter of how the players handle their feelings for the final. It will be a special final for me because it will be against a friend and a coach who has done a great job. I am looking forward to playing against Bengaluru, even though they have beaten us previously because I am an ambitious coach," he said.

Captain Mandar, who was also a member of the squad which lost the 2015 final, shed some light on the main differences between that team and the current one. "I still remember that day. We were leading till the 80th minute and then we went down 3-2 to Chennaiyin FC. We just have to be focussed throughout the game and I think we can do it. This team tries to keep a lot of ball possession and attacks at the right moment. The previous team was a little more direct," he revealed.

Hero ISL’s all-time leading goal scorer Ferran Corominas took the opportunity to praise his teammates for their contributions this season, while also adding that he would like to make a significant contribution in the final. "We have quality players and thanks to them, we have more chances. Hopefully, tomorrow I will score the best goal of the season," he said.

Click here to read the match preview.