Not possible to change result, but possible to learn: Juan Ferrando on revenge against Odisha FC

Ferrando asserts that his team’s system of playing is not the problem against Odisha FC.

Mohun Bagan will be determined to get some revenge over Odisha FC in their upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) clash on Wednesday, 6 December. The Mariners were knocked out of the AFC Cup group stages with their recent 5-2 loss to the Juggernauts and hope to get one over them in this upcoming clash.

Ahead of the sixth clash of the ongoing ISL season, the Mariner’s head coach Juan Ferrando spoke at the pre-match press conference

Ferrando not planning changes from last game

Despite the disappointing loss in the last game against Odisha FC, Juan Ferrando isn’t planning major changes to his system. He said before the game: “No changes from that game. We have a plan and we play in one way. We can’t change a lot of things. We have to work the same, get the ball and find the empty spaces. It’s a very important match at home, but it’s not necessary to be crazy and change a lot of things.”

Could mental block affect the Mariners against Odisha?

When asked if he feels his side might have a mental block of facing Odisha after the last game, the coach said: “I don’t think that’ll happen. We aren’t thinking about the past. After losing the game against Bashundhara, it became difficult for us to get to the next round.

“Before starting the last Odisha game, more or less we knew that Bashundhara won the game and I knew that reaching the next round would be very difficult. The team tried to make it 3-3 and everyone played in the attack, we conceded two goals in added time. But the most important thing for me is to focus on the ISL and on the next match. It’s necessary to focus on ourselves now and to get the next three points.”

Is lack of goals among forwards a bother?

Ferrando is not that bothered with his forwards struggling to score goals consistently, as he explained: “All I’m thinking about how football is to create the space and how we can use the space. It’s not a problem for me who scores for goals, as long we score goals. It’s not a problem if Brendan (Hamill), Manvir (Singh) or Asish Rai scores it.

“If you see the action, see the action of Kiyan and the movement of Armando(Sadiku)  for the goals against Hyderabad. At this moment, we’re working on creating spaces and it’s good because we’re working on creating the spaces and Brendan can attack this space. Asish Rai plays like a winger for us rather than like a defender.

“Like the attack, if we sometimes have problems with our defence it might be because the pressing of our forwards isn’t good or that if the wingers aren’t helping the defence or are not pressing or closing the spaces well. We are working like a team, the entire team needs to work in attack and defence. For us, who scores the goals or who gives assists isn’t important for me. For me it’s about creating spaces and to ensure the players have their chances,” he added.

Dimitri Petratos’ absence

When questioned about if he feels that the Mariners are missing the energetic presence of Dimitri Petratos in attack, the Spaniard said: “This is the strategy. Sometimes when you have different players, it’s necessary to change some points in the playing style or the position of the attacks. Of course, Dimitri is different to Jason or Armando. But it’s our job is to prepare the plan depending on who is ready and who isn’t.

“Of course, I miss Ashique (Kuruniyan), Dimitri and Anwar (Ali). But we have a very good squad, I’m so happy with this squad. The other players are ready to play all the time. Of course, sometimes it’s necessary to change some details but the system is not the problem.

“If you have one system and you win a lot of games with this, in the Premier League, Europe or Asia everyone players with one system. It’s as long as we have the perfect system. We have to prepare a plan that will be good for the players and to help them get the three points from tomorrow,” he also stated.

Ferrando eyeing revenge against Odisha?

Finally, upon being asked if he is eyeing revenge against Odisha FC, Ferrando stated: “I’m not thinking about revenge. For me, it’s important to prepare for this game in a short time. We had two days to prepare for the match. I’m not thinking about this, because we have 22 matches ahead of us in the ISL and we need to maintain the same high performance level in every match.

“The past is the past, it’s not possible to change, but it is possible to learn. I prefer to put my energy into helping the players improve their details and be better than they were in the last match,” he finished with..

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.