East Bengal FC head coach Oscar Bruzon revealed the team’s tactics after a 2-0 win against Chennaiyin in the Indian Super League 2024-25 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai on Saturday. PV Vishnu and Jeakson Singh scored for the Kolkata-based club in the second half after a goalless first half.
East Bengal FC had 44.6% possession and took four shots on target whereas they attempted nine shots off target. Bruzon feels his team played well and deserved to win all three points.
“I think we played well all throughout the game. Chennaiyin FC were playing a home game. They needed the points. We know that physically they are the top team in the ISL in terms of winning duels,” Bruzon said in the post-match press conference.
The Spaniard was delighted that his players were able to execute their plans to perfection and got a positive result.
“In terms of 50-50 duels, second balls, and long balls, I think that they were able to get into the pattern. So, the idea in the first stages of the game was holding them, being compact, and attacking them more in our own half because we knew that we cannot hold this for 90 minutes,” the head coach shared.
“So, I think that the key point of the game was that the team scoring the first goal would have the most chances to win the game, and this is exactly what we planned before the game,” Bruzon further added, highlighting Vishnu’s opener as the turning point of the match.
Meanwhile, the Marina Machans made a positive start in the early stages of the game but East Bengal FC was able to make a solid comeback.
“In the last stages of the first half, 10-15 minutes after the water break of the first half, I think our team was starting to move more forward and create more chances. And in the second half, I think that the tactical discipline of my players was brilliant.”
“We frustrated Chennaiyin FC with our compact shape, making them play on the wings, which is exactly what they don’t want to do. They like to run, and they have a lot of their own situations in the center of the pitch, but that area, I think that today was completely under our control,” he explained.
East Bengal FC will next take on Odisha FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata on Thursday.
