Mumbai City FC head coach Petr Kratky wants his team to show their competitive attitude to continue their unbeaten run, as his team will face unbeaten FC Goa in the opening fixture of matchweek 10 in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Tuesday.

As it's going to be the first time Kratky will field his team as the Islanders' head coach, he will be aiming to continue their unbeaten run in the post-Des Buckingham era. Mumbai City FC also have had an impressive start to the campaign, as they secured 14 points out of their 18 possible points.

Kratky is excited to kickstart his ISL journey and wants to see how his team will react against a top team on the points table. 

“I'm actually excited and looking forward to this game because I can see where the team is against the best,” Kratky stated in the pre-match press conference.

"We can go from there and see how we adapt and how we make everything (work). So, looking forward to this game, I think it'll be a good game to watch, and my job is to make sure the boys just stick to our plan, play our football, and behave well, and the standards are met. It's (ISL) really similar to Australian football and has very good quality in terms of players and staff, experienced staff. So, I think it will be a good experience for all of us going forward,” he shared.

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Kratky acknowledged FC Goa’s defensive solidity and compactness, highlighting how the Gaurs managed to concede fewer goals (3 goals conceded in 7 matches) so far this season. The Czech-Australian head coach shared that he has huge respect for his opponent but wanted his team to emphasise more focusing on themselves and displaying a good piece of play against FC Goa.

“They (FC Goa) are a tough opponent,” he stated.

“They conceded three goals in seven games. They are a very well-organized team. We are fully aware and respect the quality, but we also know our quality, and this will be a very good game. They have very good players, and they certainly know what they're doing, and they're doing it very well. We have to respect that,” he continued.

“I'm excited to see the top team play (against us), but we know where we are at. So we are looking forward to this game, and we are fully aware of who FC Goa are, but we are here (also) to compete, perform, and win. So, we know our quality; we stick to it, and we’ll do our best on the day, and then the best team on the day will win,” Kratky signed off.

The team has good confidence: Jayesh Rane

 

Jayesh Rane accompanied his head coach in the press conference ahead of their next away game against FC Goa. The midfielder shared his thoughts on how difficult it is to adapt to a new coach’s strategy in the midseason.

“Obviously, it’s a difficult thing (to change head coach in midseason), but I think, now, the team has good confidence, and it's the same style of play, what the coach is doing, and what Des Buckingham used to do,” he stated.

“So, I don't think it will be a difficult thing to adapt, but I am sure the team is doing well, and we will continue to do so. It will be difficult for sure,” Rane concluded.