Jose Molina reflects on goal-conceding concerns after shocking Bengaluru FC loss

The Mariners looked toothless and seriously lacked defensive integrity against the hosts.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant suffered a shocking 3-0 loss to Bengaluru FC in their first away game of the 2024-25 Indian Super League (ISL) campaign at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru on Saturday (28th September).

The Mariners conceded two goals in the first 20 minutes of the game before seeing their misery compounded by Sunil Chhetri’s record-setting goal in the second half. Head coach Jose Molina was understandably gutted after the loss but believes that his side is conceding so many goals due to problems in their attack rather than a defensive problem.

After the game, he stated, “We have conceded too many goals, that is clear. Some of the goals are because of some defensive mistakes. But I think most goals are because of mistakes in attack and in my opinion, to improve in defence – we need to improve in attack.”

“If we can attack better, we’ll get defensively better too. Attack and defence are not separate things for me. If you attack well, you can defend well and if you can’t attack well, you have problems in defence. We keep losing the ball in key moments, we have suffered from transitions in the last matches,” Jose Molina added.

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The Spanish tactician also insisted that the major reason for the loss was how well Bengaluru FC could capitalize on controlling possession for certain phases of the game. He explained, “We didn’t start badly, but they had the opportunity to take advantage and they scored goals like that. I tried to look for solutions, but we had bad luck with Sahal’s injury in the second half. We are always looking for solutions, trying to put more pressing power and more control of possession.

“That was the key for deciding the match, the control of the ball, and they controlled things better than us, especially in the first half. That was the key to the success they had in front of goal. They scored the first two times they came in the box. We had chances, but we couldn’t capitalize on that. If you can’t score, it’s impossible to win. It’s not a good match for us, but we must keep working for the next games,” Jose Molina summarised.

Mohun Bagan are back in ISL action on 5th October, when they face Mohammedan SC in the campaign’s first ‘mini Kolkata derby’ at the Salt Lake Stadium.

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