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FC Goa kicked off their ISL campaign with a bang. The Gaurs began their journey with a 3-0 victory over two-time champions Chennaiyin FC.
Chennaiyin FC's struggles in the league from the last season continued as Seiminlen Doungel, Ferran Corominas and Carlos Pena got on the scoresheet for FC Goa.
The Gaurs outshined the visitors in all departments, as they controlled the major part of the game. While FC Goa worked as a complete unit, Chennaiyin FC were exactly the opposite. The attackers failed to convert the chances that came their way. FC Goa's defence too put up a good show to keep the opposition under control.
The first goal came from Manvir Singh's run inside the box, as none of the Chennaiyin FC players were able to stop him. Seiminlen Doungel's was at the right place to deflect the ball into the net. The second goal, in the 62nd minute, outlined Chennaiyin FC's sub-par defensive qualities. Carlos Pena's goal in the 81st minute finished off proceedings for the hosts.
Now, we look at five talking points from FC Goa's splendid contest against Chennaiyin FC.
#5 FC Goa begins from where they left off
FC Goa, are without doubt, one of the most entertaining sides in ISL. They have always been known for their attacking brand of football.
The Gaurs scored 36 goals last season, out of which 16 came from Ferran Coro, the 'Golden Boot Award' winner. The club managed to retain the services of most of their players from the previous season.
Seiminlen Doungel, who was signed from Kerala Blasters FC in this transfer window was the only debutant in Lobera's starting lineup.
Keeping the heart of the team same, the manager successfully began from where they left off. Scoring goals and keeping the defence intact were routine jobs for the boys from Goa. The team led by Mandar Rao Desai never lacked understanding as Len Doungel too blended into the system with ease.
In the 2018/19 season, Goa scored three or more goals in nine of their outings. They also had the same number of clean sheets throughout the edition. Finishing the game with three goals and a clean sheet, FC Goa have not changed even a bit after the six months.
#4 Lucian Goian alone cannot keep the defence compact
Lucian Goian was one of the most notable purchases of this transfer window. The centre-back shifted houses from Mumbai City FC to Chennaiyin FC with the hopes of helping the side regain the title. The defence altogether was a flop for the visitors and Goian had a crucial role to play in it.
The Romanian player made a total of four tackles and eight clearances throughout the game. But, as a unit, the defence line failed miserably. They lacked compactness and failed to maintain shape constantly.
The backline with two club debutants had a lack of communication. It would be crucial for Chennaiyin FC to draft a well-functioning defensive unit, to get into the winning ways soon.
Vishal Kaith, another debutant for The Marina Machans, too was put under a lot of pressure. The young defender had to face a total of 12 shots out of which three were conceded.
John Gregory must get an action plan in place to make sure that the defensive woes from the Goan contest do not repeat.
#3 FC Goa have the most dangerous attacking combinations in the league
There were no surprises when FC Goa announced their lineup. The attack was as expected, with Ferran Coro playing behind the striker and Jackichand Singh and Seiminlen Doungel running across the flanks. Manvir Singh, who was mostly a substitute player last season was given a start at the striker position.
Goa's attacking prowess was on display throughout the game against Chennaiyin FC. Ferran Coro played at a vital position creating space upfront. The Spanish forward regularly set up Jackichand Singh and Seiminlen Doungel on the wings. The two speedy midfielders made no mistakes, giving a hard time to Chennaiyin FC's fullbacks.
The trio created a total of six chances between them. One assist from Jackichand Singh and goals from Coro and Doungel only increased their dominance.
When Manvir Singh made use of the opportunity that came his way, FC Goa completely outshined Chennaiyin FC in the attack.
The Indian international was behind one assist and created another crucial chance at the visitor's goal face. Eventually, Manvir justified the coach's trust in him.
#2 A consistent squad offering Goa the upper hand
FC Goa have showcased the best balance in the first round of ISL. All the other teams who were on the field had major revamps in their squad. Bengaluru FC were the only other side who did not undergo any major alteration. However, they too missed Miku at the striking end against NorthEast United FC.
This is where FC Goa's retention policy has widely benefitted them. While all the other nine teams in the league take time to develop understanding, FC Goa have already established themselves in the league. This will help them collect some valuable points in the initial matches.
A well-known team at his disposal was the only factor that backed Lobera to field a lineup with only three foreigners, in the first game of the season. With such high confidence levels, Goa will be hard to reach up to as the league progresses.
#1 John Gregory's post is under threat
While all the talks have been about Goa's supremacy, very few realize that John Gregory is having a tough time at Chennaiyin FC. The English manager was surprisingly given a second chance at the club after a dismal performance last season, finishing at the bottom. Chennaiyin FC had only nine points, from two wins and three draws, the lowest ever in the history of the league.
But, this came after their title triumph in the 2017/18 season. The way things have started for the South Indian side is not in favor of Gregory.
The management would never be satisfied with anything less than an ISL cup and if the gaffer fails at his initial steps, they might look for alternative options. The pre-season too did not have the best of the results for Chennaiyin FC.
If John Gregory fails to find some quick wins and a promising performance on the field, we might see the first sacking of this ISL season.
