Des Buckingham: Players will come back strong after having a small break

The Mumbai City head coach admitted it is difficult to hold on to a high level of performance.

Mumbai City are set to take on Bengaluru FC in the second leg of the semi-final at the Sree Kanteerava stadium. Bengaluru FC defenders showed great resistance in the first leg and their crisis man Sunil Chhetri scored the winning goal for the second successive time. However, Des Buckingham's side are known for making strong comebacks and in a similar way shall put up a tough fight.

Conversation in the dressing room after the loss in the first leg

Mumbai City were the favourites going into the first leg having lost only two matches in the league stages. They have scored the most number of goals in the season too, and have come back stronger defending points.

The head coach said, “It’s a one-off match. The good thing when I look back is we had good control of the game until the set-piece. We created chances but couldn't hit the target. The beauty of knockout football is it gives you one more chance. We are ready to play in the second leg.”

Any plan on breaking Bengaluru FC’s defence?

Bengaluru FC played defensive football throughout and relied completely on the counter-attacks. Mumbai City were not clinical too, as they had only three shots on target from 20+ shots registered. 

Des Buckingham iterated, “We have already played them thrice and this is probably the first time we haven't scored a single goal in ISL 2022-23. The good thing is we have created chances but there have been occasions where we have played worse than this and won the match comfortably. We need to get better in the final moments. The players will come back strong after having a small break.”

Are these kinds of matches important so that team regroups and focuses more?

Mumbai City have lost only two matches in the entire season (league stage). One of the losses came against Bengaluru FC at the Mumbai Football Arena.

The 38-year-old opined, “I wouldn’t say this group needs refocusing. It is a very professional, humble, and hardworking group. What I would suggest is to go back and look at the history where the team which has won the first leg fails to win the second (in the last three seasons). History doesn't have anything to do with this going forward but just putting it into context.”

Frustration or desperation after failing to score a goal?

Mumbai City created many chances in the first leg but failed to convert them. They had a large share of possession and were dominating in both halves. Lack of finishing skills cost them the match.

Des Buckingham was happy with the performance and said, “I was extremely pleased with the first-half performance. We did not play for 16 days and the way we got back after the goal was good. The only thing which did not go in our favour was the finishing. Some of the plays were arguably one of the best in this season. I would not say it was frustrating, but it is difficult to hold on to the high level of performance. It is an exciting challenge and we are one of the only teams to win most away matches and score more goals.”

Message to the travelling fans

“We are doing everything we possibly can to make sure that fans can cheer for something more this season. We have won the Shield and there is another one which is very close. But we know what we need to do to get through to the final. Hopefully, they can be a big part in helping us do that and later celebrate together by picking up the trophy,” he added.