Hyderabad FC to face Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Saturday, as the Mariners return to the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 action after playing their last match in the competition a month ago against Jamshedpur FC.
Juan Ferrando-coached side faced two defeats in the AFC Cup, against Basundhara Kings and Odisha FC respectively. The side has drawn thrice and lost four games in seven encounters, but they must look at this as a window of opportunity against a strongly built Mohun Bagan Super Giant setup.
There are few things as dangerous as a wounded tiger. The Mariners would not have taken the loss inflicted by Odisha FC on them in their home turf lightly and one can be rest assured that they have the necessary talent amongst their ranks to make up for their defeats at the continental stage in the last two games. It is an assembled squad of highly successful individuals, who will be keen to get their season back on track to march on the race for the top spot in the league.
“Offensively, I think today we are talking about creating chances. We did create chances today too, like in the previous games. It’s just the same thing. It’s a repetition of putting the ball in the net, (and being) more clinical. I think the players are trying their best, and that is the good part. But we are still missing the goals,” Hyderabad FC head coach Thangboi Singto had said after they lost 1-0 to Kerala Blasters FC in Kochi.
The Albanian striker has netted once each in the ISL and the AFC Cup so far, but his sharpness and eye for a strike cannot be spoken enough of. The 32-year-old could be leading the frontline or play in a two-striker setup, but his smart movements often cause troubles for the opposition’s backline.
The 25-year-old attacking midfielder is the line connecting the Hyderabad FC attack to their players in the centre of the park. The team requires his services now more than ever as they vehemently search for answers for their goal-scoring concerns.
“We are professionals. Our way is to look forward, work, and get the next three points. We are very disappointed and upset, but I think the most important thing for us at this moment is to play well against Hyderabad FC and get the victory,” Mohun Bagan Super Giant head coach Juan Ferrando quipped on the aforementioned loss against Odisha FC and put the focus on the clash against Hyderabad FC in the pre-match press conference.
“We are still very positive in the sense that whatever we have to do as a team, staff, and coaches, we are doing that. The only thing is about the result, but in terms of hard work and performances, everything is on what we expect. Speaking about Mohun Bagan, I think it is a team of stars, but I watched their match against Odisha FC, and I think it’s a good time to play them. They have very good players, both starting and on the bench too,” Hyderabad FC tactician Thangboi Singto said prior to the game.