Playing against Al-Nassr is not a normal game: FC Goa’s Manolo Marquez

FC Goa head coach Manolo Marquez admitted that playing against Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr is not a normal game. The Gaurs will face Al-Nassr in their third group-stage clash in the AFC Champions League Two.

The match will be played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Goa on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Al Nassr will be without the services of their talismanic striker Cristiano Ronaldo, who hasn’t travelled with the team.

Earlier, FC Goa had beaten Oman’s Al Seeb by 2-1 to qualify for the AFC Champions League Two.

“I think we need to be realistic about our chances in the competition,” Marquez told The Times of India in an interview on Sunday.

“If we had lost against Al Seeb, we wouldn’t be speaking about the group stage because we wouldn’t be here. For me, Al Seeb was a very good team, a top side. Now we need to face very strong sides in the group stage (on a regular basis),” he added.

Meanwhile, FC Goa came up with a decent performance against Al Zawraa in their opening fixture but suffered a 2-0 loss. The Gaurs haven’t secured a point from their opening two fixtures in the tournament, and they will definitely have their work cut out against Al Nassr.

“Last season, Istiklol finished with zero points (in the group stage). There were three teams (with zero points). This competition is very tough. But we are here for a reason. We want to win. If we play like we did at home against Al Zawraa, we will make progress,” Marquez opined.

The Spaniard tipped Al-Nassr as the big favorites to go all the way in the AFC Champions League Two.

“Playing against Al-Nassr is not a normal game because the opponents are very strong, clear favourites, not just to become group winners but to emerge champions too. We will enter the field with a good mentality and try to win the game. If not, try to draw. In terms of preparation, we will change a few things, but largely our approach remains the same,” he stated.