ISL 2023-24: It’s a do-or-die situation for us – Carles Cuadrat before match against FC Goa

East Bengal FC head coach Carles Cuadrat believes it is a do-or-die situation for them ahead of the crucial match against FC Goa at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Goa on Wednesday. The Red and Gold Brigade has managed only four wins in the 17 matches they have played in the ongoing season of the Indian Super League.

In the last five matches, East Bengal FC has won two and lost three games. The Kolkata-based club lost their previous match against Odisha FC by 2-1 and they will look to return to winning ways against the Gaurs.

With the playoff race heating up, it will be a crucial match for both of these two teams and both of them will look to grab all three points.

“It happens in football that you get a dynamic that is not helping (you) and you find yourself stranded. A few weeks ago, FC Goa looked like an unbeatable team because they had a good string of results, but suddenly, they are not getting the (desired) results. It’s about confidence and sometimes, a bit of luck. Whether you have a good or bad dynamic, it always changes one day. And after a series of bad games, they (FC Goa) could win again,” Cuadrat stated during the pre-match press conference.

The Spanish tactician admitted that they have had their problems in the ongoing season as they have failed to grab their opportunities.

“I think we had a lot of problems this season, it’s been a strange season. But it’s true like FC Goa we didn’t get the dynamic that could have gotten us to a better position, our dynamic looked like it was maybe something but suddenly something happened that broke that dynamic. It was a good dynamic we had in the Super Cup then we played a good game against Mohun Bagan Super Giant – but suddenly something happened that didn’t let us get the three points. It’s the story of the season, that good dynamics always get broken. I hope we can get good dynamic in the last five games and get the points we deserve,” he said.

The gaffer added he has been rotating his players in the last few matches but it will be a must-win encounter for them.

“We are not in a moment to protect players because every point is crucial now. We’ll go with a full team to Goa to try to get three points. I rotated a little bit in recent games because I saw it was the way to arrive at the important moments of the competition with everyone ready and no injuries. That’s why we rotated some players against Mumbai City FC, Chennaiyin FC or Odisha FC, but now it’s a do-or-die situation so we have to use all our cards.”