KL Rahul’s Versatility and Young Talent Highlighted by India Coach
In the end, Bengaluru FC didn’t get chances to score goals: Marco Pezzaiuoli
Bengaluru FC‘s semi-final ambitions were dashed on Sunday when they were defeated 2-0 by ATK Mohun Bagan at the PJN Stadium in Goa. As a result of this outcome, the Blues would not be able to compete in the Hero Indian Super League semi-finals (ISL).
BFC Head Coach Marco Pezzaiuoli was frustrated with the paucity of opportunities his team produced, but he implored fans to be patient with the team’s young players. Liston Colaco and Manivir Singh scored to give the Mariners a three-point victory.
Marco Pezzaiuoli addressed the media after the game. Here are some excerpts from his press conference:
You cannot mathematically make it to the semi-finals. What have you experienced over the last 19 games? And what do you think went wrong today?
I think we played well today in the game. We had a good time and we made it difficult for ATK Mohun Bagan to play football. Normally they are a great possession team. We had good chances but not clear chances, it was only Sunil in the first half and a very good pressing situation, good ball position but in the end, we conceded a goal out of nothing and that was a little bit disappointing. Second half, we had good ball possession as well, but it was missing. We didn’t come behind the defense and when we came behind the defense line, we didn’t bring the ball inside again, cutting backward and we missed the last pass in the box. We get out of nothing the second goal and that was very disappointing too, but I don’t make something against Roy because he didn’t play for a long time and trained two-three times with the team, but we needed a fresh midfield player to avoid muscle injury. We missed the point at the beginning of the season. I think individual mistakes, not finishing penalties, mistakes in set pieces and as a result, we are missing the six-seven points. But I think we have shown in the season how we press, how we play football and that’s also something special. In the end it is not enough to be in the top-four, but I think on this basis we can make the next step for the next season, also for the next game.
What was your chat at halftime?
I said to be positive, go on, don’t get a negative mindset because we played very well. ATK Mohun Bagan had almost no chances and they didn’t play football at all because we made it difficult, and I said to go on and try to come more behind the defensive line and create more chances. But we didn’t have enough chances to score goals in the end. We had one shot on the goalkeeper and it’s not enough to win a game against a good ATK Mohun Bagan team.
You have given many young players opportunities this season and with the main core of the team being over 30 years in age. How do you see that?
I think this is the right way because when you invest in the youth department, you need to bring them on the first team. Because when you don’t bring them it’s not necessary to spend money in the academy. I think we have good youngsters. I think that’s very important. It is also important that the fans and the club need to have patience. Youngsters will make mistakes like today. Lara makes great saves earlier, but today he makes a mistake that leads to the goal. But he saved two games. For us that will happen, it is going up and down for youngsters and it’s just a part where they’re learning, and they make the next step. This is very important.