The 37-year-old, who has played the world over in high-profile clubs like Manchester United, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan, reiterated that the format of ISL – which commences on October 1 and goes on till December 18 -- was something alien to him.
With a change in its marquee player, Mumbai City FC are hoping for their fortunes to change as well in the third edition of the Indian Super League (ISL).
However, Diego Forlan, who replaced the highly- controversial French star Nicolas Anelka as the franchise's star player for this season, said the trick in a tournament like the ISL is to have each player of the squad fit and ready for every single game.
"You don't know what will happen in football even though you have the best team on paper," the former Uruguayan star said in a press conference here on Saturday. "I have had that experience in many countries where I played. You play two games in a row and travel a lot. It's important to have a fit squad. In two months, you play 14 games. It's (ISL) a different type of tournament.
"You play many games in a short period and also travel a lot. That's not easy. Everyone needs to be fit and available for every game. That's important," he added.
The 37-year-old, who has played the world over in high-profile clubs like Manchester United, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan, reiterated that the format of ISL – which commences on October 1 and goes on till December 18 -- was something alien to him.
"Hopefully, many players can play many games, but it's not easy. You get more tired. The way they are doing it, it's new for me. You not only need to have a good squad but also need to have the whole squad injury-free," Forlan said.
That's a big criteria for the Ranbir Kapoor-owned franchise. The team has been rather quiet in the first two seasons, finishing sixth and seventh, respectively, and are under pressure to pack a punch this season. Forlona said getting past that hurdle of making it to the play-offs will be a big challenge for the franchise.
"I know the club did not qualify for the play-offs and that's the challenge -- to qualify and do our best. We have a mix of good Indian and foreign players," Forlan said.
The star from Uruguay, who guided his country into the semifinals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, admitted that he had received offers from other countries, but got attracted to India due to the sport's growing popularity among the masses.
"I had (other) offers, but preferred coming here," Forlan, who played for his local club Penarol last season, said. "I had been watching some games before when I was living in Japan (he played for Cerezo Osaka in 2014-15) and then in Uruguay. There are many good players and many people inside the stadium. It's growing and they are trying to make it an important sport. I know cricket is the main sport, but they are trying to make it a good league.
It's not easy but they are trying their best."
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