Punjab FC head coach Pavlos Dermitzakis has backed his side's knack for late goals as a reflection of genuine character, and is expecting further improvement when the team travels to Goa for their Indian Super League (ISL) 2026-27 fixture against newcomers Churchill Brothers on Sunday, 26 October 2026. Punjab are unbeaten after two matches, having accumulated four points from an opening-day win and a draw.

Late Goals, Strong Character

What has defined Punjab FC's early campaign is not just the results but the manner in which they were secured. Raphael Messi Bouli struck in the fifth minute of stoppage time to seal a 2-1 win over Odisha FC, having also opened the scoring in the first minute of that game. Then, Gurkirat Singh headed in a 90th-minute equaliser against his former club Mumbai City FC to earn a 1-1 draw.

'Scoring in the dying minutes shows that we are a team with strength and power. It shows our character and mentality, and it proves that we are a team that simply refuses to lose,' Dermitzakis said ahead of the Churchill Brothers fixture.

The Greek tactician attributed those decisive late interventions to preparation and the quality of his substitutes. 'Crucial to this is the tactical part and the players who come in as substitutes, who have a specific purpose when they enter the match,' he added.

Defensive Solidity and Tactical Balance

Punjab have scored three goals and conceded two across their opening two fixtures. Dermitzakis said he is content with what he is seeing at both ends of the pitch. 'Generally, we are a team built on balance. I am satisfied because we are producing chances and scoring in every game, and I am satisfied with our defensive organisation,' he said.

Notably, neither goal conceded came from open play — Odisha's equaliser arrived via a headed corner, and Mumbai City's goal came from the penalty spot. The coach confirmed that set-piece defence is an area being actively addressed in training.

Sizing Up Churchill Brothers

Churchill Brothers, competing in the ISL for the first time, have shown they are capable of causing upsets — defeating Mumbai City 2-1 on their debut. However, they were then beaten 4-0 at home by defending champions East Bengal, and Dermitzakis cautioned against reading too much into that heavy loss.

'In the ISL, a previous victory or defeat does not affect the psychology or performance for the next game that much,' he said. 'Churchill Brothers are an enthusiastic team new to the ISL. We will try to take advantage of the moments when we find them unready, but we need to be very cautious.'

Squad News: Malsa Available, Bahanack Managed

Midfielder Mickaël Malsa, the former Levante player who joined the club in September, has been included in the squad for the trip to Goa. 'He is a true professional who works every single day to be 100 per cent ready,' Dermitzakis said. Defender Patrick Bahanack, meanwhile, is in the return-to-play phase following a minor injury and will not be rushed back into the starting lineup. 'Whenever we have an injury, we never rush,' the coach said. Sunday's objective, Dermitzakis noted, remains consistent with every other matchday: 'Our target, as always, is to combine a good performance with a positive result.'