PANAJI
When they faced ATK Mohun Bagan earlier this season, FC Goa won comfortably thanks to goals from Aibanbha Dohling, Fares Arnaout and Noah Sadaoui. This, combined with the fact that they are currently on a three-match unbeaten run, will surely give the Gaurs confidence as they arrive at Kolkata for the return fixture on Wednesday.
The clash against the Mariners will see many of Carlos Pena’s men take on some familiar faces in Juan Ferrando, Liston Colaco, Manvir Singh, Hugo Boumous and Lenny Rodrigues.
Interestingly, Ferrando never won against ATK Mohun Bagan while he was the chief tactician of FC Goa. And in November this year, the Men in Orange registered their first victory against the same opposition, with him in charge of them.
Speaking ahead of the upcoming clash, FC Goa head coach Carlos Pena gave his two cents on what he expects as they gear up to take on ATK Mohun Bagan.
“I expect a very different game (compared to the return fixture) where two teams of equal strengths and specialties will face each other. We’re not far away from each other in the points table, and are both fighting for playoff spots. We have to be very focused in terms of our defensive work and should try to punish them with each attack of ours,” he said.
As the former coach of FC Goa, Juan Ferrando will be very familiar with their possession-based playing style, something that has been embedded into the Club’s philosophy by now. The Gaurs love to build from the back, keep possession of the ball through passing between players and create chances through open play.
