Gerard Zaragoza rues missed chances and mistakes after loss against Punjab FC

Bengaluru FC head coach Gerard Zaragoza rued the team’s missed chances after a 2-3 loss against Punjab FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi in the ongoing Indian Super League on Saturday. The Blues dominated the possession with 64.5% but could only take three shots on target.

Zaragoza also felt goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu’s and defensive mistakes led to his team’s downfall. Edgar Mendez scored the opening goal for Bengaluru FC after a goalless first half whereas Asmir Suljić scored the equalizer for the Shers.

While coming off the bench, Filip Mrzljak gave the hosts a crucial lead but Rahul Bheke equalized in the stoppage time. Subsequently, the Shers captain Luka Majcen scored the winning goal for the home team.

“Today, we saw the Punjab FC like in the first half of the season. They were working and fighting for every ball. Something that we did not see in the last couple of months. I think we played to have (deserved) more than zero points. We did a game. And we had the chances to have more than zero points but football is like this. The reality is that we cannot change this negative way. And the only thing we need to do is continue our way. Continue working hard to change the mind of the players,” he said in the post-match press conference.

The Spaniard lamented the fact that they gave away the advantage despite taking the lead at the start of the second half.

“With 1-0, we had everything under control. And it seemed that we are going to win that game. But then again, one lost (ball) in our half of the pitch finished in a penalty. We are in a moment where any punch is kicking us hard.. When you are not brave, these punches are kicking hard. And at 1-1, everything was open. Not well for us, not well for them, but finally they arrived (in the box) and they scored more goals than us,” Zaragoza said.

Speaking on Gurpreet Singh Sandhu’s howler, Zaragoza said, “The penalty, I could not see. I don’t know if he (Sandhu) could do more, but finally its one against one. It’s difficult for the goalkeeper. But for the second goal, I think he needs to keep the ball. He’s an experienced goalkeeper and he needs to do this. The reality is that he did mistakes. Other players in defense did mistakes. We had good chances to score. It’s the same, it’s also mistakes. And finally, starting from me, everyone does mistakes and if we make mistakes, we cannot win games.”

Bengaluru FC will next take on Jamshedpur FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru on Sunday.