A very frustrated Zico faced the media after his team FC Goa's 2-0 loss to defending champions Chennaiyin FC on Thursday. The defeat to the Super Machans makes it three defeats out of three for the Gaurs.
In his pre-match press conference for the game, Zico had said that his team has created a lot of chances in the first two matches and was confident that his team could score goals. However, Zico's men only had only three shots on goal and didn't provide any proper threat to the Chennai defence this time. The Brazilian legend was asked what went wrong for his team on the night.
Zico said that both the teams had only a few opportunities but managed to score from it. The Goa manager was also of the opinion that Chennai's second goal scored by Wadoo was lucky. Zico ended his reply by saying that his team is going through a hard time but will work hard to turn things around.
"I think it was a game of few opportunities. Chennai also had only a few opportunities but they shot about three times and scored two of it. We had few opportunities, but couldn't score. If you see the highlights of the game, you can see that both teams didn't have much opportunities.
“And regarding the Chennai goals, one was even going out of the post, it deflected off some player and then became a goal. We are passing through a hard situation now and nothing is going right for us now, but we are going to work hard and try to reverse it," the Goa manager said.
Missing Moura and Lucca
FC Goa had the likes of Leo Moura and Jonatan Lucca to create chances last season, but this time, they are lacking creativity. Spanish midfielder Joffre Gonzalez is the main source of creativity the Gaurs have this season and Zico was enquired if there is too much pressure on Joffre to create chances.
Also read: ISL 2016: Chennaiyin FC 2-0 FC Goa - 5 talking points
The former Udinese player replied that the team is very much suffering due to the loss of Moura and Lucca. Zico also mentioned the problems Goa had last year. The former Olympiacos manager said that Goa lost some key players that they had planned to retain this season because of all those problems.
“Of course we suffer a lot. Leo Moura was supposed to sign with us but his club in Brazil didn't accept. Because of all the problems that happened last season, we lost some key players from our squad that we had in mind to retain. Lucca, (Thongkhosiem) Haokip, Pronay (Halder). These were key players we wanted but because of the situation, we couldn't sign. So, we have to do the best with what we have,” the former Fenerbahce manager said.
Lucio injury scare
Former Bayern Munich player and FC Goa's marquee signing Lucio was subbed off at halftime by Zico. When questioned about the reason behind this decision, Zico revealed that Lucio is suffering from a foot injury since the last game. The manager added that Lucio felt pain in his leg during halftime and was not able to play in the second half.
FC Goa are still to get off the mark having faced three defeats in three games. Zico was asked if he is happy with his team and if the team can climb up the ladder. The 63-year-old answered that he is not at all happy with his team, but the Brazilian added that the season has only begun and there is a lot more to go. Zico then quipped that the ISL wanted to deduct 15 points from Goa and nine points are already gone.
"I am not crazy. Of course, I am not happy with the team. In the first round of the first season, we just got five points and we reversed it in the second round and got into the semi-finals. This season has just begun and nothing is lost. We can work. The ISL almost deducted 15 points from. Nine is right there", Zico said.
Zico is clearly aware that he has lot of work to do with the team and time is running out for the Gaurs.
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