ISL 2017: ''Forget El Clasico, this is an ISL Clasico,'' says FC Goa coach Sergio Lobera ahead of Pune clash

FC Goa take on Pune City in a mouthwatering clash that could see some wonderful attacking football, with the prospect of goals galore. The Goa side has a chance to go two points clear at the top of the table, with a game in hand. So, getting the three points will be of utmost priority to the Goans as the win will put them in a very strong position.

Likewise, a win for Pune City will take them level on points with third-placed Bengaluru FC. Both teams have been efficient in attack but again, they have also been having problems at the back with Pune City conceding 9 goals and FC Goa conceding 10.

FC Goa despite sitting in second place with two games in hand, have conceded the second highest number of goals in the ISL, only behind the Delhi Dynamos. ''Of course, it is important to look at the defensive aspect. We are working hard towards building in that department but at the same time, it is important to keep doing what we are doing and maintain our style of play'' said FC Goa Coach Sergio Lobera, who admitted that their defensive problem still needs to be worked on.

The Gaurs were left in a predicament last game when Ahmed Jahouh and Star Striker Ferran Corominas both suffered injuries. However, coach Lobera confirmed that both players are 100% fit to play against Pune City today and there are no absences from the side. Players like Corominas, Lanzarote, Arana and Bedia have been the talk of the town recently and have been winning hearts of not just the Goans but fans across the country for their spectacular performances but Sergio Lobera is a man who emphasizes more on team efforts than anyone else.

The coach rarely highlights individual performances and rightly said, '' It's a team effort. There's a Moroccan player, a Portuguese player and many Indian players along with our Spanish players. It is a joint effort by the team and everyone gives it their best for every game and that's the key to our success. I've said it before and I'll say it again. We have a quality team, our Indian players are no less (in quality).''

Coach Lobera has also been often questioned about his Starting XI, which he usually prefers to keep the same, to which he answered '' Yes, we haven't yet seen everyone and to win the league you don't need just 11 players but a whole squad. But it is also important that when you have a winning formula, you don't change it up too much and stick to it. Again, we also have great depth and quality in our squad. A clear example was in our last game versus Delhi, we had players that came off the bench and made a difference to the game.''

FC Goa's young Gaur from the FC Goa Development team, Jonathan Cardozo has recently been spotted training with the first team squad and has been promoted and Coach Lobera was all praises for the local youngster saying, ''Yes, he did train with us in pre-season and we saw his quality. We knew it was only a matter of time and we felt he was ready to make the jump. Jonathan is ready to make his appearance and when I feel that there is a requirement and I need him at any particular time, I certainly won't hesitate to put him on.''

The Spaniard will also be wary that the biggest La Liga game back home will also take place on today and will also be played at the same time as the FC Goa vs Pune City game. However, Coach Lobera played down the importance of the Barcelona vs Real Madrid game and ensure that his full focus was only on the today's ISL game by saying, ''For me, Pune and Goa is a Clasico. I'm fully focused on tomorrow's match and the El Clasico (Barcelona vs Real Madrid) won't be my priority. This is isn't the first time, I've missed watching one either. We will continue to focus on entertaining not only our fans watching at the stadium but also fans all across the country watching on TV. We always want the fans to go home happy and satisfied.''

FC Goa will take on Pune City today at 5:30 pm at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa, India.