Gerard Zaragoza shares disappointment after loss against Odisha FC, says they don’t deserve what happened

Bengaluru FC head coach Gerard Zaragoza was disappointed after they suffered a 3-2 loss against Odisha FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru in the ongoing Indian Super League on Wednesday. 

Edgar Mendez and Sunil Chhetri scored to put the Blues in front in the first 13 minutes. But Diego Mauricio got one back through a spot kick in the 29th minute after Aleksandar Jovanović received a red card. Mauricio then scored his second goal of the night in the 38th minute to equalize for the Kalinga Warriors.

Jerry Mawihmingthanga scored the winning goal after five minutes into the second half to help his team clinch all three points.

“It was that kind of game that we don’t deserve what happened. We don’t deserve it for sure,” Zaragoza stated at the post-match press conference.

“I think that we played the first 20, 25 minutes, maybe the best football of the season. We could even have scored the third goal. We had everything under control, everything,” he added.

After Jovanovic received a red card, the Spaniard revealed that half-time talk was to stay together and look for the winning goal.

“The message was to be together. They have players like Jahouh and Boumous, who can keep the ball, whatever they want. I think it’s not the best scenario to have 10 men against Odisha FC, but keep together, keep together, and wait for the chance that we will have. But finally, they scored the final goal.”

Zaragoza added they would be a force to reckon with in the tournament if they stop committing silly mistakes.

“The day this team stops the silly mistakes, no one will stop us. Believe me, no one! But we need to stop these mistakes.

“We have national team players here (in the team). I don’t think that I need to explain to them that inside the box, they need to put their hands behind,” Zaragoza commented.

Bengaluru FC will next take on Mohun Bagan Super Giant at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata on Monday.