ISL 2019-20, FC Goa Preview: Sergio Lobera's side retain best players to emerge as genuine title contenders ahead of season
FirstpostIf FC Goa can find a way to sheathe the double-edged sword that is their attack with a dash of pragmatism in defence, there’s more than enough reason to believe that this time around, it could finally be their year If you were to imagine last year’s Indian Super League teams as cocktails from the menu of a hipster Sobo gastropub, Bengaluru FC would probably have been a sensible Old Fashioned, a timeless drink whose simplicity is its defining feature. To elaborate upon this already stretched analogy, Sergio Lobera’s Goa side have concocted a perfect blend of attacking football and slightly reckless defense in recent years, a combination that readily lends itself to excitement, but rarely results in success, as was witnessed last season. Lobera’s squad also has a feeling of stability to it this season, since Goa have been quite sedentary in the off-season, making minimal changes to their squad with no marquee signings to speak of. Jackichand Singh and Brandon Fernandes, both of whom were instrumental in Goa’s run to the final last season, will further supplement this lethal attack with their breakneck pace and intelligent movement.