We gave the ball away bit cheaply, reflects BFC coach Simon Grayson

The Blues tasted their first defeat of the season at the hands of Hyderabad FC.

Hyderabad FC defeated Bengaluru FC in the second fixture of the first double-header of ISL 2022-23. It was a comparatively low-key game, owing to the pitch's poor condition. While it felt like the match would end in a draw, Hyderabad nicked in a goal in the 83rd minute, courtesy Bartholomew Ogbeche lashing onto a poor clearance by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. After the match, Bengaluru FC head coach Simon Grayson attended the press conference to talk about his views on the game.

Here's what he had to say.

Grayson's reaction to the match

Simon Grayson reacted to their defeat against Hyderabad FC by first referring to the pitch's condition. He stated that the pitch was of very poor quality. Then, he expressed his thoughts about the game. He said, "It was a close game. I thought we defended really well on a pitch that was difficult for both teams. The pitch was a talking point before the game and it was not easy for players of both teams to take a touch or cross the ball. But it was the same for both teams.

He added, "I think we defended well. And then, at the end, there was just a little long ball in the box which we did not deal with. Gurpreet probably needed to punch it. But you can't blame Gurpreet too often because he has been fantastic from the first day he has been at our club."

Also Read"

• Bart Ogbeche goal helps Hyderabad FC edge Bengaluru FC
• Ratings: Bart Ogbeche’s goal takes Hyderabad FC to table summit
• Deserved win, says Hyderabad FC coach Manolo Marquez

"The overall thoughts from the game is that we needed to be better in possession. We gave the ball away a little bit too cheaply. I am still learning about the players. We are all in the early part of the season and they (BFC players) are still learning about me. We need to do better at the top end of the pitch by creating more chances. We will go to training and try to find a solution to that too. Many of our key players were missing today. Roy did not play and Prince is also out injured for a majority of the season. We are a young team. We need to learn and do better," further added the tactician.

On why BFC lost the match

In reply to a question seeking his thoughts on why Bengaluru FC lost the game, Simon Grayson again blamed the pitch's condition. He also said that missing personnel from his team was also a cause of worry for them.

He stated, "It is difficult when you have not got many options available. We went with the 3-4-1-2 (formation) with Javi returning to the team as you need his creativity. He has not been fit since the preseason. This was his first start because of the number of weeks he was out. So, he will only get stronger and better with time. You try play Siva and Sunil together, one has got pace and one has got experience. (Overall) We need to be a little bit braver on the ball and ask more questions to the opposition."

On the major learnings from the game

Grayson said that staying alert for the entirety of 90 minutes is a very important aspect of a football game. His team suffered because of a lapse in concentration toward the end of the game. He said, "The main thing we learnt today is that you have got to be switched on for 90 minutes and if you make a mistake, you are going to be punished. We did that tonight. But, overall, If I am looking at the bigger picture of the last three games, we had taken a point at Chennai and won at home. Today, we came here and kept a clean sheet for a long time."

He added, "We do need to improve our possession of football. We need to ask more questions to the opposition. We also need to have more sustained gameplay. But it is not easy when you go to Chennai or when you come to Hyderabad. It has been a decent start for our team as we had three tough games against three tough teams. It is never easy. Again, back in the Kanteerava Stadium, you will have a different sight of us."