Proud of the way team has been competing: Carles Cuadrat

Carles Cuadrat talked extensively about the upcoming final against the club’s fierce rivals.

East Bengal will take the field for the second time against Mohun Bagan in the 2023 Durand Cup but this time it will be in the final at the Salt Lake Stadium. The Kolkata derby will decide the winner of the tournament which has delivered heavily in terms of quality football action and entertainment for the fans.

Carles Cuadrat, joined by new signing Borja Herrera in the pre-match press conference, talked about the upcoming game and answered questions from the media. He talked about the new project with East Bengal, Mohun Bagan's form and more in a candid conversation.

Here are the excerpts:

Growth during the campaign

East Bengal have improved by several levels during the 2023 Durand Cup campaign and Carles Cuadrat spoke about it in the press conference. He said, “We were talking in the locker room when we conceded two cheap goals against Bangladesh (Army) at the end of the match. Fortunately, we won the derby and there was a special moment between the team and the supporters. It was the starting of believing and then winning the semi-final also helped.”

“We know where we come from and it does not change in one month,” he further added in the context.

Aspects to improve

Carles Cuadrat understands that his job has only started and the road is long to make East Bengal a powerhouse once again. Talking about areas to improve, the head coach said, “A lot of them, of course. It is a building of a new project with a lot of new players and we have to adapt and create something for the future. What I am happy with is that we are being competitive even though these are the first steps of our project. We have been competing well.”

Mohun Bagan's form

The Spaniard has a lot of respect for Mohun Bagan and for good reason. However, he knows that it is not impossible to beat the Mariners despite their impressive recent form. In this context, he said, “After our match (derby in group stages), they have played four games and won four games. So, they have the kind of positivity and have been beating the champions of Nepal, Bangladesh and India (Mumbai City FC). They have been building this mentality and physicality but at the same time, we can see that most of the games were won with narrow margins.”

“So, we will try to use our weapons to get the victory,” he further said backing his team’s chances of winning the final.

Proud of the effort

Carles Cuadrat expressed pride and felt a sense of achievement upon reaching the final of the Durand Cup because he is in the early stages of his managerial stint with the Red & Gold Brigade. 

Talking about the expectations from the tournament, he said, “We always want to win and work towards it. But it is true that it has been a very special Durand Cup because from day one we have been working with new players. It has been the first time for me with many players in the squad including the foreigners.

He added, "The expectation was trying to win every game but to arrive in the final is something that we had not really thought of because it has been a difficult way with a lot of difficult moments. We are proud of the way the team has been competing.”

Demand for better referees

On the topic of having foreign referees improve the standard of officiating, Cuadrat expressed sympathy with the officials already at hand. He said, “We have seen people from other clubs demanding better referees. It is a national issue. Maybe it would protect the game if we draft in people who can work under a lot of pressure. We have to understand that they are under a lot of pressure.”

Borja Herrera on the grand occasion

Borja Herrera spoke about how the final is a grand occasion and will require top effort to win. He said, “We want to win and give our best for the final. Both teams will go for the win and will play the best football.”