FC Goa assistant coach Clifford Miranda said that he remains friends with ATK Mohun Bagan head coach Juan Ferrando despite the Spaniard’s move away from the club.

The two were in opposite dugouts on Wednesday as Ferrando’s ATK Mohun Bagan beat FC Goa 2-1 in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) match at the PJN stadium.

Miranda who was Ferrando’s assistant felt both the coacheds tried their best for the respective teams during the match despite the history.

Miranda also called for improvements from his team in certain areas of the pitch as they seek to overturn a slow start to the season and make it to the Hero ISL semi-finals.

The Gaurs are currently in eighth spot in the table.

Miranda addressed the media after the match.

Here are the excerpts from his press conference:

Did ATK Mohun Bagan have too much quality in their side for you?

If you talk individually they are a better team, they have better players. But I felt as a team we did well against established players, against a good system. As a team, I think we did very well.

Considering your team's performance. What were the areas in which the team lacked tonight?

We need to work on our finishing, on our play in the final third and our coordination while pressing. When the ball is shifted from one side to the other, coordination is important.

Muhammed Nemil made his full debut today. Devendra Murgaonkar has established himself in the first team. Are these youngsters going to take FC Goa forward?

The club has a very strong foundation where players from the youth team are progressing. They are taking a step forward and it helps the first team. It's good for the club overall.

What were your emotions before and after the game seeing Juan Ferrando in the opposite dugout?

It's difficult. We worked together for one and a half years very closely. We had a very good progressive relationship and a very good personal relationship. But for me and I'm sure for him as well, we are friends. We care for each other before and after the game but during the game we are professionals. I'm sure it is the same for him. We work for our team, we fight for our team.