ISL 2018-19: Lucian Goian - Time to bring the trophy to Mumbai City

Lucian Goian will become one of the select few foreign players to feature in three successive Indian Super League (ISL) campaigns when Mumbai City FC take to the field in season 2018-19.

The only motivation that brings the defender back to the shores of the Western-India metropolis is to win the trophy and settle for nothing less.

"This is my third season here and it is time to bring the trophy to Mumbai. It is our fan's dream, it is our dream and by doing this we can create history for the club," Goian minced none of his desires ahead of the new season.

The 35-year-old narrated an incident which happened in 2016 that helps keep his wish of lifting the ISL trophy alive to this day. "Before the second game against ATK in a previous season we were told in the locker room by former goalkeeper Roberto (Volpato) that he wants to remember us in a photograph with the trophy in his living room. I am thinking about this also," he told.

"Ten teams want the same thing but we want to make it. There is a lot of work to do. We had a good pre-season. The team is like a family and we hope to do good in the first game against Jamshedpur," Goian further asserted.

Former coach Alexandre Guimaraes joined in ISL III with Goian as he took them to the playoffs in his first season. After finishing seventh in 2017-18, he was replaced by Jorge Costa and with the Portuguese, Goian shares a common link, both having spent time with CFR Cluj, however, during different time periods.

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"It's not too different from the previous coach. Every coach is asking you about determination, attitude and we want to play offensive. We have the quality. There is no doubt about it. Now the question is about attitude and about the way you prepare for the games.

"Our coach has won important trophies in Europe and he knows about how to bring out the best," he commented on the former UEFA Champions League winning captain turned coach.

Mumbai City conceded 29 goals in the regular season last time and being a centre-back himself, Goian recognised that the team will have to address that quickly if they are to harbour hopes of making it into the top four.

"Defense is very important. It is the foundation of any team. In ISL III, we had the most number of clean sheets. If the foundation is strong then there is no problem. It is not only the four defenders and the goalkeeper.

"The whole team participates in defending and attacking. We have to play attractive football and that's why they are coming to the stadium and we hope to give them that," he signed off.

Mumbai City open their campaign against Jamshedpur FC at home on 2nd October.