ISL 2018-19: 'We Showed Bengaluru FC Are Not Stronger Than Us' - Mumbai City's Lucian Goian

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Lucian Goian of Mumbai City [Image: ISL]

After Mumbai City came away from the Kanteerava Stadium with a point following a 1-1 draw with Bengaluru FC, defender Lucian Goian said his side had proved that they were no pushovers and that they deserved to be in second place.

The Indian Super League fixture on Sunday night saw the Blues take the lead through Udanta Singh before the Islanders equalised through Modou Sougou. But a red card to Sehnaj Singh saw the visitors change their game plan and come away with just a point.

Although it wasn't the result either team wanted, Mumbai City were still able to move up to second place while Bengaluru FC remained unbeaten at the top of the ISL Standings.

On the 1-1 draw

"It was a tough game but we expected that. We knew that we were going to play a strong team. But I think we showed today that they are not stronger than us.

"I think we are the two strongest teams in the league and we showed how consistent we can be. I think the draw was a good result. From what I understand, the second goal Sougou scored was not offside - that's what we heard in the locker room.

"But the team worked hard - it's not easy to play with 10 players but everybody did a fantastic job and, in the end, I think we deserved this point."

On Mumbai City's approach after Sehnaj's red card

"You have to be ready for everything in football. We organised well and played a 4-4-1. We didn't change too much after Sehnaj was sent off. We had some chances to score but the draw today is good for both teams.

On Mumbai City's unbeaten run since 5-0 loss to FC Goa and moving up to second place

"Goa was an accident. We didn't play as badly in Goa as the result showed - we had a very good first half and some good chances to score and we made some mistakes. After that, they scored with every chance they had in the second half.

"After that, we started playing well and the good results gave us confidence. We had many good wins and we've gone six games without losing. This is the best record in the history of the club and we don't want to stop here."

On Mumbai City's Top 4 chances

"We don't think about that. For the moment we're thinking about the next game. We have to take it game-by-game, step-by-step.

"If we do the everything it takes to get the maximum from every game then for sure we will be in the Top 4. But until then we are only thinking about the next game."

On singing the Indian national anthem before kickoff

"Yeah, I know all the lyrics! It's a pleasure for me to sing it every time before every game. I join Amrinder [Singh] in every game and it is a pleasure for me."

On how his family likes India

"They like India - we feel good every time we come to India. We feel very good staying in Mumbai.

"My son is also very happy, he's always with the team. He's very popular and he also has a lot of fans in India. We're living in a good moment at the end of my career and I'm very happy about that."

Will Goian Jr join the Academy soon?

"He's training in one academy in Mumbai and he comes with us for training every day. He loves football very much - he plays every day. That is a reason to be very proud of him."

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