‘It is important to keep calm and take one game at a time’

Ahead of Hyderabad FC’s clash against Odisha FC, Manolo Marquez speaks about the build-up to the game, his side’s recent results, the upcoming opponents and more…

On the result in the last game…

I think it was one of the most complete games Hyderabad have played this season. Yes, we missed chances but that is football. Sometimes you score the tough chances and sometimes you miss easy ones. But we were closer to winning the game than Mumbai and I am really happy with my team.

On the missed chances against Mumbai…

I don’t like to speak about these things. I believe that you always remember games that you deserved to win but never talk about games you could have drawn or lost. For me, the results in the past don’t count and we need to be at our best to beat Odisha tomorrow.

On the mood in the camp…

Against Mumbai, I think we were physically, defensively and tactically better, and that gives the squad a lot of confidence. However, it is important to keep calm and take one game at a time as we still have nine games to go. But for me, an average player who is high on confidence is always better than a world-class player without confidence and right now we are in a really good moment.

On the run of results in 2021…

The fact that we as a team, reacted after three consecutive defeats shows the character and strength in the squad. I believe that getting good results in the second legs is a bit difficult because most teams have found their best combinations and want to win at any cost. So, it is important for us to not just dwell on these results but continue to perform better till the end of the season.

On playing two games in four days…

It is a difficult situation but it is the same for every team in the league this season. East Bengal played three games in a week and won seven points in those games. So, it is not always difficult but for me, I prefer to play once a week. However, we cannot look for excuses, especially playing in a pandemic. We will have days when we will have more rest than the opponents so right now, I am not really thinking about it.

A word on the opponents…

The last time we played them, the likes of Jacob Tratt, Cole Alexander, Vinit Rai and Jerry were not even in the squad. So yes, Odisha are a different and stronger team now and deserve to be higher in the points table. We should be at our best if we are to win tomorrow.

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