Less than 90 days ago, Savio and his side convincingly won the SAFF Championship at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. That though, is a thing of the past, for transition galore has taken place since that momentous success. Defender Mahesh Gawli and creative midfielder par excellence, Climax Lawrence, have announced their international retirements, leaving Medeira to back a new look India ahead of next month's AFC Challenge Cup in Nepal.

None among Nirmal Chhetri, Syed Rahim Nabi, Rocus Lamare, Lalrindika Ralte, Clifford Miranda and Sunil Chhetri started against Oman in last week's friendly loss to Oman. Add to that, the fact that Jeje Lalpeklua has been missing for some time now, and it would appear that the game against Paul Le Guen's Oman was the shape of things to come.

Not that Medeira is particularly concerned. “This is what football is all about. We need to be patient. The new boys will settle down,” Savio said ahead of Monday's clash with Azerbaijan. “But we need to be patient.” Against Oman, ranked 95, he had said “there were defensive lapses.” Against Azerbaijan, ranked 109, “we have to correct our mistakes,” Savio stressed, mindful that this is India’s last international match prior to their Nepal adventure. “They are a strong side and we know they will come hard at us,” Savio said of the Azerbaijan who recently drew 2-2 against Singapore, while declaring that he has yet to choose his favoured starting eleven.