Mumbai: The new season of the Indian Super League will be under way from November 17. The 2017-18 season will be longer compared to the earlier seasons, extending for five months with 10 franchises. Among those, Bengaluru FC and Jamshedpur FC are new entrants. Bengaluru FC manager Albert Roca says he does not feel any pressure to win the new league.
“It’s a challenge for the players and the coaching staff but our supporters are behind us. Being new in the league is not an excuse to perform badly,” the former FC Barcelona assistant coach said.
With the I-League and the ISL commencing simultaneously from November, many players have moved to the ISL. Nishu Kumar is one such athlete and is looking forward to the tournament. The 20-year-old played for the BFC in the I-League last year.“This will be my first time in such a great league for which I am very excited,” said an overwhelmed Kumar.
Abhinas Ruidas was involved in a controversy over his switch from East Bengal to Mumbai City FC, with questions emerging on the legality of his move. It will be the winger’s first stint away from Kolkata and he is eager to prove himself. “The problem that occurred is in the past, my agent told me to concentrate on the game. I am glad to be chosen from the draft and motivated to play away from my home for the first time.
“This team finished in the semi-finals, I think we have the intensity to lift the trophy. I am feeling great, if we get results, it’ll be better,” he said. FC Pune City’s newly-appointed Serbian coach Ranko Popovich said he was eager to win the tournament in his debut with the side. Despite his team’s inconsistent performance in the past, Popovich thinks he can turn things around. “I am here to make sure that we change it around. My target is of course, to win the league and nothing else,” he said.
