Carles Cuadrat makes big statement about East Bengal's ability to handle pressure after shaky start

The Torchbearers started with a loss away from home to Bengaluru FC.

Carles Cuadrat’s East Bengal FC are desperate to get their first points in the 2024-25 Indian Super League (ISL) campaign when they travel to face Kerala Blasters at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi on Sunday (22nd September). After having lost their last two competitive games, including the ISL opener against Bengaluru FC, the Red & Gold Brigade are under pressure with questions being raised by fans.

What Carles Cuadrat said?

Despite attracting criticism for the recent defeats, Carles Cuadrat remains calm in his assessment of his squad. Speaking ahead of the Kerala Blasters game, he stated, “We are at the starting of the season and will play in the second match of the league. We didn’t get a point in the first game, but were very close to get a result and got a clear chance to make it 1-1 in the 85th minute. We arrived into the dangerous situations more than Bengaluru FC.”

“But this is football. At the start of the season, all teams are trying to find the best combinations and best way to play the game. We are working well, I’m happy with the intensity of the players and the way they’re trying to get adapted to the system. I hope to get the three points tomorrow,” he also added.

Cuadrat is also pleased with the addition of Mohammedan SC into the ISL, making it a 13-team league. He believes that the competition is elevating the overall quality of Indian football and teams with passionate fanbases, something even Kerala Blasters can boast about. The Spaniard explained, “I think the ISL is bringing great opportunities to Indian football to develop. It’s very good for the country to have three historical Kolkata clubs in the top division. It means there is a lot of royalty and big derbies.

“But it’s also important to pay attention to other places in the countries where football is important. We are very happy to play here in Kerala as we know the love of the supporters for the game. It’s always essential to play in these kinds of stadiums because the intensity is great. Year after year, the ISL is developing and we are creating expectations within fans and this season is going to be an interesting one,” he further stated.

East Bengal picked up a thrilling 4-2 win over Kerala Blasters in their previous visit to Kochi last season. They’ll be aiming for a similar result to get their first win of the new campaign and move up the ISL table.

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