Pune FC takes on Sporting Clube de Goa in an I-League Round-7 encounter at the Shree Shivchhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi.
Speaking at the pre-match Press Conference, Pune FC Head Coach Karim Bencherifa discussed various topics.
When asked about about the recent results and the game ahead, Coach Bencherifa said, “We always play for a win. If you watch our matches, it is very evident. We play with three strikers up front, so the intention is clear — to play good football, to win and to collect three points and keep improving our point tally and standing in the table. Of course, every game is a new one and we have to prepare differently for them. In the last game we defended very well, but we were unable to attack with the same intensity. It was disappointing. Sometimes however there are things you cannot control. Like last time we prepared for the whole week with a certain game plan, but we had to alter it on the match day as Edgar (Marcelino) failed a fitness test and we lost Darko (Nikac) to an ankle injury barely 20 minutes into the game.”
He further added, “Despite the setbacks, I think we put on a decent performance. It is important to note that we don’t just have a squad of the playing 11 or the seven on the bench but all the players are well prepared and are good to go. Darko and Edgar are still out, but we are upbeat, we believe in each other, and that is very important in the team. We are composed and confident. Sporting are not an easy team to play. They have the names and they have the strength too. I think it will be a very good game against them.”
Speaking about the permutations and combinations of the league table, Coach Bencherifa clarified, “It is too early to look at the table as of now. All we have to do is take every game at a time and if we keep doing the right thing then by April, I think we will be right there up on top with a realistic chance at the title. As of now we are just focussing on one game at a time.”
