I apologize to the fans for this result - Roca

The Blues manager was lost for words after another defeat in the top flight...

The former Barcelona assistant coach was lost for words as he saw his team sink to their heaviest defeat this season at home to East Bengal. Goals from former Bengaluru boy Robin Singh and a fine solo effort from Wedson Anselme saw the the Red and Gold do the double over Roca's team this season. 

"It is difficult when you see such a bad dynamic in these sort of games. We were under a bit of pressure coming into this game. There were a lot of doubts creeping in. It's understandable because such doubts come from the results and it's difficult when you play against a spirited team. First half we were bad. Second half we were better and had a chance to go level, but with the second goal they killed us," said Roca. 

The coach went on to apologise to the fans who had turned up in huge numbers hoping to see their side reignite their campaign after a series of draws. 

"I apologise to the fans who came here with big expectations from us to win the game. They encouraged us all the time and the team gave it their very best," apologised the former El Salvador coach.

Roca justified his decision to play a 3 man backline to counter the threat of East Bengal's two striker system but pointed out that the team shifted to a pure back 4 after the first goal. 

"We changed the system because they played 2 strikers, but we moved to a back 4 once we conceded the first goal. I'm not sure of the tactics but we played well and worked very hard. We can surely do better and we will be better in the coming games. We will change things and work hard," promised Roca. 

The Spaniard also took time to praise East Bengal's performance.

"It is difficult when a team's confidence is not good. But we were really good at the start of the second half and were on the up. But they punished us at the worst moment. That's football and you can't help it," observed Roca.

[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]

The former Barcelona assistant coach played down any talk of a title challenge as his team are now 11 points behind table toppers East Bengal. 

"No I don't think we can talk about the title now. We will need to work hard and hope that we can get better results," signed off the 53-year old.