SC East Bengal head coach Manuel Diaz expressed his views on an unsatisfying season but remained optimistic for the game ahead, as his side takes on Hyderabad FC in match 39 of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2021-22 season on Thursday at the Athletic Stadium in Bambolim, Goa.

Diaz took responsibility for the poor results in the season so far that is yet to see the team win and admitted that there were differential circumstances within the club which affected the squad’s performances.

Ahead of SC East Bengal’s final game of the year against Hyderabad FC, Diaz addressed the media during a pre-match press conference.

Here are the excerpts from Diaz’s press conference:

Last game of the year against a strong Hyderabad side, what will be the approach of the team on Thursday?

The goal has been the same: to win every match we play, and we will go against Hyderabad FC with the same approach.

Antonio Perosevic will miss the Hyderabad FC game. Do you think that makes a difference in the SC East Bengal side?

Antonio Perosevic is an important player for the team who was playing regularly but there are other players who can play in his position, like Semboi Haokip, Daniel Chima Chukwu, and Balwant Singh, so we are not perturbed by his absence.

Is there more pressure on you as a head coach in the wake of Antonio Habas parting ways with ATK Mohun Bagan?

No, the pressure is by myself, and the differential circumstances of the club and the environment hasn’t been good and that’s the reason the squad didn’t win matches. The targets of ATK Mohun Bagan and SC East Bengal are totally different, ATK Mohun Bagan were champions in the past seasons whereas SC East Bengal have entered late into the competition.

Have you found a way to not concede silly goals? How are you planning to stop Hyderabad FC who are in a good form?

In the seven games that we have played, we’ve made several mistakes in a difficult way for training and we’ve also conceded some silly goals. The decision making has not been up to the mark, and there’s a huge difference between playing in training and playing in an official match.

Does the team need a defensive blocker to add balance?

We need many things, but we have to work with the squad we have. We have to work it out with the squad and need to have a better understanding.