'We need to be smart' - Juan Pedro Benali reveals mantra for Mohun Bagan triumph
(Courtesy : ISL Media)
NorthEast United boss Juan Pedro Benali shed light on the criticism goalie Mirshad Michu faces.
After a thumping win against East Bengal at home, NorthEast United will take a trip to the City of Joy to face Mohun Bagan. It will be the second clash between the sides this season following the 1-3 defeat in Guwahati last year.
The Highlanders will be keen to settle scores this time as well. Ahead of the match, NorthEast United’s head coach Juan Pedro Benali and forward Parthib Gogoi addressed the media and shared their thoughts.
Strategy going into the game
The head coach was asked about his strategy going into the game against the Mariners. He said that he aims to go there and do the best for the team.
“Well, my strategy is to go there and make it as best as we can. You know, we’re playing against a dinosaur, as I said the other day. We need to be smart, play our game, and try to do the best we can. I think the players and the bench are ready. This is the most important thing,” he quipped.
Thoughts after the last game
Juan Pedro Benali also shared his thoughts about the previous game and said that the team needs to forget that match and focus only on the upcoming game.
“This is very important for us to not get blind by one result. We need to keep working. Every game is another story, every game is different. Our aim is the next game. The position will be at the end of the season. For now, the most important thing is the next game.”
He also added, “Football has a very short memory. You lose the next game and you have a lot of mushrooms coming out asking you to leave. Next game you win and they disappear. This is the beauty of football. As I told you the other day, before the game there’s only one coach and after the game there’s 14 million coaches.”
Players’ contributions
Speaking about the contributions of his players, the Spaniard praised them and highlighted the beauty of the sport.
“It was a great goal from Tomi (Juric) but it was great defending from Asheer (Akhtar). A great save from Mirshad, a great Parthib coming out later on helping us; he scored a goal and we doubt if he’s offside or not. That’s the beauty of it, it’s a full team.”
He also stated, “Even the players who didn’t play and are working hard on the pitch and in the training. Tomi is a great player, he gives us a lot on the front, but you also have Nestor, Jitin and Redeem, everyone who went in and did a great job.”
Lack of goals from Parthib Gogoi
Parthib Gogoi scored three goals in the opening three ISL games for his side but has gone goalless since then. When asked about him, the head coach said that nothing has happened to him and he needs to keep working hard.
“Nothing happened to Parthib. The only thing that happened to him is that you put his head very big. You need to help him to keep his feet on the floor and keep working. He’s a young, talented player.”
He also mentioned that Gogoi will be the main forward for the national team in the upcoming years if he works hard for it.
“And I’m telling everyone. In the next few years, he will be the main striker of the national team, but he needs to work every single day. He’s listening and working. But I asked the people who are around him and the fans and the media to help in that, not to put him in the top of the crown or the throne,” he asserted.
Thoughts on Mirshad Michu
Juan Pedro Benali also spoke about goalkeeper Mirshad Michu and said that he plays in a very special position where people only remember his mistakes and not the saves he delivers.
“I think we are very harsh on him. Sometimes he saves all and makes one mistake and everybody says, oh he’s very bad.”
Benali also added that Mirshad is doing a great job and has improved a lot since last season.
“He’s a goalkeeper. The problem is we want perfection. If he was perfect, he would not play football. Football is not perfect. Mirshad is doing a great job, he’s working hard. Mirshad from last season is not the Mirshad this season. A humble guy, a great teammate. He recognises himself when he makes a mistake and that’s very important. That says a lot about him.”
Parthib Gogoi’s comments
Thoughts after the last game
Parthib Gogoi reflected upon the East Bengal game and said that the team played very well and that they need to continue putting in efforts game by game.
“We played very well in the last match. We were consistent. We are playing game by game. As the coach said, we will see where we stand on the table at the end of the season. We will give our best and will see what is the result,” he mentioned.
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Yash has been involved in the Indian Football circuit since his school days. He has been covering various sports since 2020 and has also covered a couple of on-ground events, including the 2022 FIFA U17 Women's World Cup in Odisha.