‘We want to win and will go into the game with a positive mindset’

Manolo Marquez discusses the crunch clash vs Mumbai City 

On starting the season with a defeat…

It is always tough when you lose a game, anytime in the season. We want to play good football but it is not just about passing the ball and having possession. We need to create more spaces and we are working on it. It is a long season ahead and we are confident at the moment.

On missing chances in front of goal…

I don’t think we had too many chances in the game. Yes, more than our opponents but I agree that we need more players to arrive (in the box) when we attack and be more clinical inside the box. We controlled the game well but we know that we need to improve on our finishing.

The mood in the camp…

When you win, the confidence is always growing and the opposite if you lose. We know we played better than our opponents in the last game but it is not easy to recover the lost confidence after a game like that.

It is more difficult when it is four or five games but now it is just one game. We lost, but we move on and try to win the next.

On playing a strong Mumbai City team…

Mumbai City started the season with a win scoring two quick goals and played really well all throughout the game against FC Goa. In their first game against Goa there was a lot of difference in details from the team from last season. But they have a really good team and for me, in the future, they will be a far better team than they already are. But all 20 games are difficult in this league.

It is a very competitive league and there is no reason why we cannot do well against the defending champions. We want to win and will go into the game with a positive mindset.

 

On the clash in playing styles…

I like the style of teams like Mumbai City that prefer to play with the ball. I respect all styles of football but it is true that both teams like to have the ball and play good football.

So it is important to stay compact, try to avoid the press and try and combine well on the pitch. This is the only way for us with the players we have.

A word on Igor Angulo…

He is a really difficult player to play against. 40 years ago, when football was different and having a defender mark the opponent striker it would be difficult for him but clever players like Angulo are really hard to mark.

He is confident and calm inside the box and will always score goals. I think even when he turns very old, he can still continue scoring.

Update on Narzary’s injury…

We don’t know how many games he is out but he has a knee injury and I believe he will be out for at least a couple of games.

Message for the fans…

I am really happy with the way they have responded. Not much changed after that loss but if you have three or four consecutive losses, this could easily change. But I am sure this will not happen, as we saw last season.

They can expect the team to play good football but it is also important for us to score goals and win games. But I have to say thank you for all the support they have shown and we will continue to fight for them.

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