ISL 2023-24: Despite first-leg defeat, FC Goa coach Marquez confident of victory v Mumbai City FC

Down but not out despite a defeat in the home leg, FC Goa head coach Manolo Marquez expressed optimism as they prepare to face Mumbai City FC in search of a second-leg comeback in the second semifinal of the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Mumbai Football Arena here on Monday.

Stunned by a late fightback as Mumbai City FC scored three goals in the dying minutes of the match to overturn FC Goa’s 2-0 lead in the first leg, the Gaurs are thirsting for revenge that will also seal a place in the final for them. Taking the pitch in Mumbai, Marquez’s men will be desperate to make up for their complacency in their previous encounter and secure a win to ensure their berth in the final of the ISL 2023-24 season.

Midfielder Brandon Fernandes was substituted off in the 85th minute of the match, having created three goalscoring chances and bagging himself a goal, after which, Mumbai City FC turned things around by scoring three goals within six minutes.

The head coach doesn’t regret his decisions from that day and believes that if someone questions his substitutions, then they may not be that much involved with the game. “We played a very good game. Everyone that speaks about the substitutions is people that are not involved in football, and they don’t have no idea about football,” Marquez had said in the post-match press conference.

Elucidating on the situation inside the dressing room, the Spaniard said the players have settled down and are ready to take on Mumbai City FC and try and win the match.

With a shocking comparison, Marquez tried to show how his players needed to develop character. “I am from Barcelona and I love Carles Puyol, why? Carles Puyol, with the ball, was 1000 times worse than Brandon. Yes. But, when his team conceded one goal, this is the moment that you need to show leadership (like Puyol did),” he said.

He continued, “We need to improve in this aspect because character and mentality is very, very important.”

Confiding in the process by which FC Goa are trying to overcome their loss in the first leg while also preparing for a comeback in the second league, Marquez commented, “We will be very confident when we arrive on Monday.”

FC Goa will miss Mohammad Yasir in the second leg owing to an unfortunate injury in the first leg. The 26-year-old has assisted five goals so far this season while also scoring goals on three occasions. The 55-year-old coach does think Yasir has been important for the Gaurs but is ready to put his faith in someone else for their encounter against Mumbai City FC.

He said, “He is a very good player. I think he arrived in the middle of the season. Was not very good in the beginning, but now has a lot of assists and two (three) goals and I don’t know how many, four or five assists. I know the quality of Yasir from a long time ago. But (for the second league) we will play another player.”

Marquez shared an optimistic outlook towards the second leg game. “There is a second leg and we have to fight and try to qualify because we know that we can do it, but we know that the opponent is a strong opponent,” he opined.