PANAJI
If tournament records would be a good indication, it has to be remembered that the coastal rivalry between FC Goa and Kerala Blasters tips neither side home or away as a clear favourite. Against their six duels, all yielded results with each having won on three occasions.
On their last meeting at Kochi, on November 8, 2016, a goal by the Kerala Blasters' CK Vineeth sealed a 2-1 win in their favour. Sweet would be the revenge for the Gaurs, high on confidence and aggression in their Fatorda Fortr
ess after a thrilling high-scoring 4-3 win against Bengaluru FC on November 30 at home. On the contrary, Kerala Blasters have continued to split points three matches on the bounce, all at home.
In their first away match of their season on Saturday, Kerala Blasters interestingly are without the services of their talismanic local hero Vineeth, who will sit out with a second bookable offence received from the Mumbai City FC game last Sunday.
Speaking to the media, in a pre-match press conference, FC Goa gaffer, Sergio Lobera downplayed the notion that the visitors are a defensive unit. "I would not classify Kerala Blasters as just a defensive unit. From what I have seen so far, they (Kerala) have a lot of players who have a lot of quality and create a lot of chances (going forward). We are up against a side that has a good organisation in terms of attack and defence. We have to be at our best to get the points we are looking for," the Spanish coach affirmed while dispelling the notion of accentuating his attack to break the seemingly impregnable Kerala defence system.
Nine days since their last game, with defence being an area of grey concern since the outset of competition, coach Lobera refutes the claim. "I do not think that is the case. We have continued to work since the last game. Obviously there are aspects within the game which we have to improve upon. This is one of the aspects being highlighted. This team was built from scratch and there are things to be improved upon which in course of the season will see a change for the better," the FC Goa gaffer explained.
On his part, Rene Muelensteen, the Blasters coach is optimistic that his Yellow Brigade will pick up their first maximum points in the competition from their first away game. "Concerned? No, not really! Disappointed that we haven't won any of our games? Yes!"
But the visiting coach is not unduly worried on the absence of wins going into their fourth game. "We have seen progress throughout our games so far. I am happy with that and which is important for the players. (FC Goa) It is another game for us to see where we are. It is different to play home and away. More than anything else, we have to keep focused on progressing as individuals, as a team. We all know we are looking for our first win, and hopefully we get that tomorrow (Saturday)," he categorically stated.
With former Bulgarian forward Dimitar Berbatov stepping back to a midfield role in their last game against Mumbai City FC after an indifferent form upfront in his earlier engagements, what prompted the switch, came another query. Or a switch back in attack with Vineeth sitting out was imminent for the FC Goa game? Muelensteen gave the situation at hand a broader outlook. "We are still fine tuning. I think with a player's quality as Berbatov (36) you sometimes have to think out of the box. We want the best players on the ball. You have to also realise when playing up front at 30-35, they will lose a bit of explosiveness, sustainable speed. But they have plenty of other qualities to offer. That is what we are trying to bring out from him," he offered an answer.
On the immediate opposition, he conceded the FC Goa game would be interesting. "I have seen their matches and they have been really strong in their first away match in Chennai, in the opening half. They have some really good footballers. They have a certain style of playing which anybody can see. If you let them, they can hurt you. But then the teams that have played against them (FC Goa) have shown they can cause problems for FC Goa. And that is what we (Kerala) have set up to do tomorrow. We are aware of their strengths and something that we have to deal with. And that is what we are prepared for," the former Manchester United coach affirmed.
In their first away match of their season on Saturday, Kerala Blasters interestingly are without the services of their talismanic local hero Vineeth, who will sit out with a second bookable offence received from the Mumbai City FC game last Sunday.
Speaking to the media, in a pre-match press conference, FC Goa gaffer, Sergio Lobera downplayed the notion that the visitors are a defensive unit. "I would not classify Kerala Blasters as just a defensive unit. From what I have seen so far, they (Kerala) have a lot of players who have a lot of quality and create a lot of chances (going forward). We are up against a side that has a good organisation in terms of attack and defence. We have to be at our best to get the points we are looking for," the Spanish coach affirmed while dispelling the notion of accentuating his attack to break the seemingly impregnable Kerala defence system.
Nine days since their last game, with defence being an area of grey concern since the outset of competition, coach Lobera refutes the claim. "I do not think that is the case. We have continued to work since the last game. Obviously there are aspects within the game which we have to improve upon. This is one of the aspects being highlighted. This team was built from scratch and there are things to be improved upon which in course of the season will see a change for the better," the FC Goa gaffer explained.
On his part, Rene Muelensteen, the Blasters coach is optimistic that his Yellow Brigade will pick up their first maximum points in the competition from their first away game. "Concerned? No, not really! Disappointed that we haven't won any of our games? Yes!"
But the visiting coach is not unduly worried on the absence of wins going into their fourth game. "We have seen progress throughout our games so far. I am happy with that and which is important for the players. (FC Goa) It is another game for us to see where we are. It is different to play home and away. More than anything else, we have to keep focused on progressing as individuals, as a team. We all know we are looking for our first win, and hopefully we get that tomorrow (Saturday)," he categorically stated.
With former Bulgarian forward Dimitar Berbatov stepping back to a midfield role in their last game against Mumbai City FC after an indifferent form upfront in his earlier engagements, what prompted the switch, came another query. Or a switch back in attack with Vineeth sitting out was imminent for the FC Goa game? Muelensteen gave the situation at hand a broader outlook. "We are still fine tuning. I think with a player's quality as Berbatov (36) you sometimes have to think out of the box. We want the best players on the ball. You have to also realise when playing up front at 30-35, they will lose a bit of explosiveness, sustainable speed. But they have plenty of other qualities to offer. That is what we are trying to bring out from him," he offered an answer.
On the immediate opposition, he conceded the FC Goa game would be interesting. "I have seen their matches and they have been really strong in their first away match in Chennai, in the opening half. They have some really good footballers. They have a certain style of playing which anybody can see. If you let them, they can hurt you. But then the teams that have played against them (FC Goa) have shown they can cause problems for FC Goa. And that is what we (Kerala) have set up to do tomorrow. We are aware of their strengths and something that we have to deal with. And that is what we are prepared for," the former Manchester United coach affirmed.
