BENGALURU FC ARE IN AN unusual situation; for the first time they are experiencing anything but a smooth sailing in the Indian Super League.
While in I-League they have had their off seasons - including their last appearance where they finished fourth - they have always been the one to finish top of the table in ISL.
With added emphasis on the summit now due to the ISL league stage winners getting a spot in the AFC Champions League 2021, the start to their campaign has been far from ideal. In the first two matches, the Blues have played out two draws; a goalless draw with NorthEast United at Kanteerava and a 1-1 draw at FC Goa.
Their next match is also among the tougher outings of the season; they must face Jamshedpur FC away from home on 3rd November.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru before departing for Jharkhand, head coach Carles Cuadrat faced multiple questions regarding the team's current forms and concerns about whether the current tactics being employed by the management are bringing about desired outcomes. Addressing them, Cuadrat said,
"I'm very proud of the tactics we're using and I'm glad to say that Corominas has failed to create big chances since I've been the coach here. I'm happy with that performance, and we learn from it... it's true that we've lost four points out of six, but this only means that we have to be strong mentally. This happens in football, and I think the players understand this situation... football is the kind of sport where a lot of people are working hard to avoid certain situations. I'm not worried about chances, because we are getting in the right positions."
When asked about certain players being used out of their usual positions, and Cuadrat was ready to defend his choices in that regard,
"I don't agree when people think that Nishu is playing out of position. He is a right-footed full-back and that makes him comfortable in the right-back position... Ashique is a wonderful player. In football, you will learn from mistakes like the one he made on Monday. Gurpreet conceded a needless penalty in Goa a couple of years ago, Nishu did the same in Kerala, Khabra in NorthEast. These are lessons that football teaches you.... there were a lot of people talking when Sergio Lobera played Mandar at left-back. But look at him now, playing for the National Team. It's a challenge, but it's something we will work on."
About what the management was doing to ensure the rough start does not become a winless streak, the defending champions' head coach stressed on the need to have the players focused on the task,
"We're trying to get the players up because it's a coincidence that we play the semifinalists first, then the finalists, and now Jamshedpur who have won both their games. We have to be mentally very strong in this situation."
Asked if the result against FC Goa was disappointing, Cuadrat responded,
"There are a lot of positives to take from the game against Goa. Last season, Goa lost only five games last season, and three of those games were against us."