NorthEast United FC head coach Juan Pedro Benali believes that his team is still a work in progress ahead of the game against Hyderabad FC in matchweek 9 of the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday.

NorthEast United FC sit in sixth position in the league table with nine points from eight games played. They have won two games, drawn thrice and lost three times so far this season.

The Highlanders suffered a 5-0 loss in their last game against East Bengal FC and Benali believes that his side are still working to get to their optimum levels.

“We are still developing our team. We are still growing. We need to show our hard work on the pitch,” Benali stated in the pre-match press conference.

“We do not need to live in the past. We lost the game however it is football. We keep going,” Benali added.

“We hope to win all the games, however, we are still building our team," he continued.

Hyderabad FC sit in 12th position in the table with three points from eight games. They have lost five games, drawn three times and have not won any game so far this season.

Benali feels that despite the results, Hyderabad FC are a tough side to play against.

“Hyderabad FC are a very dangerous team with very good players. They change systems every day,” Benali said.

“It will not be an easy game. We do not see our opponent's positions in the table, we just think about the game,” he added.

There is a lot of difference from last year: Mirshad Michu

NorthEast United FC goalkeeper Mirshad Michu joined head coach Juan Pedro Benali in the pre-match press conference. He has started all the games for NorthEast United FC in the league and has one clean sheet so far this season.

Mirshad feels that there have been a lot of changes to NorthEast United FC's side from last season and the changes have been positive.

“There is a lot of difference from last year. Our coaching staff motivates me every day. They never demotivate me,” Mirshad said.

“This is the best thing for a goalkeeper like me. The belief drives me and my fellow goalkeepers to perform positively,” he added.

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