Hyderabad: In the current overwhelming situation of lockdown due to the ravaging coronavirus pandemic, organising a tournament as massive as Indian Super League (ISL) is a tall order to fill.
And India's football and the ISL's establishment deserve a pat on the back as the seventh edition of the league kicks off Friday in Goa, albeit in a bio-bubble.
As 11 teams assemble for an enthralling contest for the elusive ISL title, the NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) star player Federico Gallego hopes that his team's hard work "is reflected in good results."
Expectations have skyrocketed after the team finished top-four in the 2018-19 season and they will look to keep the ball rolling this year too as they cross swords against Mumbai City FC on Saturday in their first match.
In an exclusive conversation with ETV Bharat, Gallego talks about his expectations from the team, their new coach, and how important ISL has been in improving the skill sets of Indian footballers.
Excerpts:
Q. The team has a new coach Gerard Nus this time around. He is the youngest in the league. How is the team shaping up under him?
A. He is really very young, even so he has a great experience working in very powerful teams and with people with a lot of knowledge. The team is working very well under his command, he really wants to do things well just like us players, and we are working hard to have a great season.
Q. Tell us about the team's composition. How is the preparation and what are your expectations from the team going into the tournament.
A. We have practically formed a new team, except for 7-8 players the rest have arrived to contribute to the team. I really think that a good group has been formed which is the most important of all, with good players but good people above all, a nice mix of young players eager to grow and experienced players eager to do things well and leave their mark on the club and on the country.
The preparation has been very good, but I think it took a little time to prepare better, but well, we all know how things are with respect to the virus and we have to adapt to these conditions in which all the teams will be in the same situation.
My expectations are the best and highest possible. We have worked hard to have an excellent season and eager to start. I hope that all this work is reflected in good results, the time has come when we can move forward.
Also Read:ISL 2020-21: Teams, venues, star players, prize money and all you need to know
Q. You started the 2019-20 season late after the injury that you suffered in the 2018-19 season. Tell us about that phase.
A. Well, as we all know, the injury was very difficult and unexpected. It has been very difficult times for me throughout that recovery stage, we are never prepared to live in a situation like this and be away from what we love so much that it is to play, but all this time has taught me many things and has made me a much stronger person for sure. Luckily with the support of my family, friends, many people who have been with me in those moments I could able to overcome this obstacle and go back to enjoy things as simple as a daily training, that when we are well maybe we do not value it, but later when we can't, we miss it so much.
Q. How ISL has improved Indian players and your team? Do you think the skills of Indian footballers have improved in the last few years?
A. I think they have improved and will continue to do so day by day, year by year as I have said before. I think the best way to keep growing and improving is competition, playing games, adding experiences with respect to the game, as this continues to grow I think the players will go the same way. With more games played during the year, I think the better prepared you will be. With more opportunities you grow as a better player.
-- Ayushmaan Pandey
