Juan Pedro Benali shares important update on Parthib Gogoi

Juan Pedro Benali also spoke about Bengaluru FC’s new head coach Gerard Zaragoza.

NorthEast United FC will go up against Bengaluru FC away from home in their 11th game of the season. The Highlanders will look to turn things around after a disappointing defeat in their last match.

They will also be keen to improve their head-to-head record with Bengaluru FC and possibly get all three points from this away clash. Ahead of the match, NorthEast United’s head coach Juan Pedro Benali and defender Asheer Akhtar addressed the media.

Thoughts ahead of the game

Sharing his thoughts ahead of the game, the head coach said that it is going to be a different game with a different approach.

“It’s a totally different game, different team, different coach and a different approach on the field. It will be a very difficult game. We will do our job and always be willing to get the best possible. For us to play there (at home) and play here it’s the same,” he asserted.

Thoughts on Gerard Zaragoza

Juan Pedro Benali also shared his thoughts on Bengaluru FC’s new chief Gerard Zaragoza and said, “I cannot say about his gameplay because it’s only been one game. But, we saw some changes in the team and the approach was totally different. He has new ideas for the players. It’s not going to be easy because we don’t know them unlike before.”

Message to the players

When asked about what his message is to the players in situations where things don’t go their way, the Spaniard said that he tells his players to be confident, patient and to be themselves.

“The most important thing is to be confident and to be ourselves. We need to be patient and play our way. We have 14 players playing the ISL for the first time and that is a huge number. It’s not easy to make a team that way,” he stated.

Team News

Sharing an update on his team, Benali said that Parthib Gogoi is back in the team after missing a few games due to injury.

“Parthib (Gogoi) is coming back in the team and Asheer is also back in the team,” he said.

Asheer’s comments 

Juan’s support

The defender was asked about how the head coach keeps the team motivated. He said, “When things don’t go our way and when we feel a lot of pressure, he tells us to calm down and believe in ourselves. He said that we have 14 players playing the ISL for the first time, so it’s not easy to build confidence. I think we have not done a bad job so far this season.”

Playing under the boss

Asheer Akhtar also spoke about playing under Juan Pedro Benali and said that he has learnt a lot of new things from him.

“He has been a coach for more than 20-25 years and he has a great experience working in different countries. I have learnt many new things under the coach,” he concluded.

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