Bengaluru FC's Gerard Zaragoza highlights the importance of 'impact subs' ahead of Mohun Bagan test

The Spaniard emphasized how strategic use of substitutes can change the course of games.

In modern football, substitutions have become more than just a way to give tired players a rest. Bengaluru FC head coach Gerard Zaragoza, while speaking to the media ahead of their Indian Super League (ISL) game against Mohun Bagan Super Giant, shed light on the importance of using ‘impact subs’ effectively, which can often change the course of a match.

The Spanish tactician also discussed how young players, if brought in at the right moment, can actually bring in fresh energy, new ideas, and game-changing moments.

“Impact subs are very crucial to any game. Especially the younger ones, we try to make use of them because the last 20 minutes of the game are very important, and they have a lot of energy to change the game,” Gerard Zaragoza stated. Bengaluru FC is a club that has always been at the forefront of giving game time to young players, and thus, the manager highlighted how using fresh, energetic players during the last phase of a match can create a significant advantage.

These substitutes often bring a new essence of energy that can disturb the opposing team’s rhythm and create opportunities to score or defend. So, the right impact subs might be the difference between winning and losing for them when they play against tough clubs like Mohun Bagan.

Youngsters like Vinith Venkatesh, Siva Sakthi, and Shivaldo Singh have already been prime examples for the Blues in showing how, besides having experienced talents, young legs can have a more significant impact.

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Senior players who might start feeling exhausted towards the last quarter, around 70-75 minutes, are when the young players can come in and add fresh pace, agility, and strengths to the team. Younger players tend to have the stamina and drive to make a difference when the game reaches its most intense moments. By introducing fresh legs late in the game, Zaragoza is confident that teams can turn things around and shield better results.

While speaking to the media, the Spanish tactician also asserted and highlighted a few more points. Excerpts are below:

Gerard Zaragoza on the team’s mentality and motivation

Gerard Zaragoza, shed light on how the balance between mentality and motivation is essential to seek better and expected results and also spoke about how senior players have a greater impact on the team. “Winning or losing depends on how teams perform every week. My job is to ensure to motivate the players to win the next game. With players like Sunil Chhetri who also help to give that extra bit of motivation to the lads, it is only good that we have such players in our team,” he asserted.

Injury woes and expected returns

The tactician spoke about some of the injury concerns that the club has recently been going through and also shared an update on Shivaldo Singh’s injury. “Most of our players are well, but Jorge is doubtful as he is still recovering from an injury. Ryan is out, but we are trying our best to bring him back soon. It also seems like people have forgotten about Shivaldo. I am worried about him because he will be out for three months,” Gerard Zaragoza stated.

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