Football
'Could have scored more goals': Zaragoza after Bengaluru FC's 1-0 win
After collecting three points in their season opener, Bengaluru FC coach Gerard Zaragoza said starting the season with a win was important.
Bengaluru FC started their Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season with a narrow 1-0 win over East Bengal at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday.
Local boy Venkatesh's 25th-minute strike was the difference between the two teams.
After collecting three points in the opening game, coach Gerard Zaragoza said his team could have scored more goals.
"To start winning is important for us. I think we dominated the game for almost 60 minutes, with the ball and without the ball. We could have scored even more goals," Zaragoza said in the post-match press conference.
"During the win, we were talking to the players about enjoying playing football, controlling the game, but the most important thing is to win the first three points of the season," he added.
"But you cannot give life to the opponent. They are good. They have good players. In the second half, (Madih) Talal came and played with good individuality. We could have drawn and lost two points when everything was under control, which means that I'm not completely happy. We won and we have three points. We can do better in the next match in five days again here," he added.
'Satisfied with the players': Cuadrat
East Bengal FC, meanwhile, enjoyed 55 per cent of ball possession and had ten shots on target but could not score.
Despite the narrow loss, coach Carles Cuadrat remains confident that his team will perform well in the tournament moving forward.
"I think that we've been fighting for the result. It's clear that the team has been trying to fight until the last minute with one player less," Cuadrat said.
The Spaniard is also optimistic of bagging record numbers of points this season.
Despite Saturday's defeat, Cuadrat was happy with his players' approach during the match.
"The team is doing the right things, trying to score and try to arrive at the opponent box. At the end, it's about the last decision, the pass or the shoot. But I'm satisfied with the players," he stated.
"They have been giving a lot, so the team is fighting a lot. I'm sure we're going to get a lot of points because I saw in the match that the players are fighting for the colours," he continued.