Coach Manolo Marquez discusses tomorrow’s clash against FC Goa

On the victory over NorthEast United…

I think every result in this league is important, even if it is draw, especially in a competition with just 20 games. But we prefer a win and it was really crucial for us. We are just five games in but the biggest learning from the game is that we have to play with more continuity in the 90 minutes.

It is normal that when the other teams create chances and score, some moments are difficult but we have to control these moments and try to stick to our style.

On the playing style of FC Goa…

Goa play very good football. They try to keep the ball and try to play, and this is what I prefer as well. When they have the ball, we have to defend with discipline and when we recover the ball, we have to try to avoid the press and try to create chances.

Attack, defence and transitions are all a part of football and the team that is better in every aspect usually wins and this could be the case on Saturday as well.

HFC 2020-21 vs HFC 2021-22…

I don’t think I am the right person to answer this question.

Many people speak about our style but I think the two teams are pretty different. Last season, we had a team that can keep the ball and try to play football in every situation. But now, it depends on the opponents as well.

We try to keep the ball but you have to defend when you play strong teams. The best thing this year is that the team is ready to adapt if needed in some moments of the game.

On the packed schedule…

It is still really early in the league season. Irrespective of our position in the league table, the situation is the same. A packed schedule means more injuries so sometimes it is injuries that could decide a game.

Every game is very tough and sometimes you have to drop points trying to manage the minutes of the players. This is a problem for every team and that makes it a tough competition.

🎙️ Coach @2014_manel talks about the FC Goa challenge, HFC’s form so far and more, ahead of #FCGHFC on Saturday.#ThisIsOurGame #మనహైదరాబాద్ #HyderabadFC

Read the full interview 👇

— Hyderabad FC (@HydFCOfficial) December 17, 2021

On keeping players fit…

This is a problem for every team in the league. Three games in 10 days is too much and will surely effect that fitness of players. Some teams play four games in 13 days, which is not good. You can see the list of injured players in the competition to understand how tough this league is.

We have a good bench and enough options for different situations in the game. Like against NorthEast, Joel, Tavora, Aaren and Javi along with Aniket, (who came off the bench) all played really well.

The mindset of the youngsters…

When you are winning everything is good. But we have to improve on a lot of details. It is our philosophy to play with youngsters and we have a really good group of experienced players and this mix has been a strength for us.

It is a great experience for them but it is not about arriving here but about maintaining your place in the team. They have to keep working hard as it will only get difficult.