Goa: An upbeat Goa will aim to consolidate their position on top of the table when they face Pune City at the Fatorda Stadium on Saturday. Equal on points with both second placed Bengaluru and Chennaiyin, the ‘Gaurs’ however have two matches at hand.
Playing with an attacking intent possession based football, the 2015 ISL finalists have impressed one and all with their brand of football, yet their defensive fragility remains a big concern. They have scored a whopping 18 goals so far the highest this campaign, but have not gone a single match with conceding. Coach Sergio Lobera however seems not to bother about their defensive frailties.
“Offence is our strong suit and we’ll stick to it,” says Lobera, under whom FC Goa has been in atremendous goal-scoring form.
However aware that scoring goals may not be enough each time, the Spaniard quickly added, “It is important to get the defensive balance right. Obviously, we are working on it. Keeping that in mind we have to keep doing what we are doing and improve as a team.”
The attacking duo of Ferran Corominas and Manuel Lanzarote have been lethal infront of goal and much to Pune’s woes Lobera confirmed that both of the stars are 100% fit and will play.
FC Pune unlike other teams however cannot be taken lightly. With experienced campaigners like Alfaro and Marcelinho up-front and a dependable custodian Vishal Keith at goal, the ‘Stallions’ have so far gone unbeaten on away matches this season.
Coach Ranko Popovic who has transformed a team that has never made to the qualifiers into a force aimed for a clean sheet, despite being aware of Goa’s attacking prowess.
“We are playing against the most offensive team in the league. But for us, we are looking to keep a clean sheet and score some goals at other end and to do that we need to be offensive,” said the Serbian tactician.
Pune will however miss Baljit Sahni who saw a red in the last fixture and has been suspended for this match.
‘It will be a close contest’ added Popovic before concluding, “The team that commits less error will win tomorrow.”