"We have a lot of problems to score goals": Manolo Marquez after Bengaluru FC loss in ISL

FC Goa suffered their first defeat of the 2025/26 ISL against Bengaluru FC.

FC Goa hosted Bengaluru FC at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa on April 4, 2026, as both teams resumed ISL action following a brief hiatus due to the March international window. When two teams that had performed well until now entered the field, there was a lot of expectation for an evenly contested encounter between these two sides.

However, the visitors cruised to victory as they had perfect control of the game. The Blues won 2-0 to move into the top four, while the Gaurs looked absolutely clueless in attack. Sunil Chhetri and Namgyal Bhutia scored goals for Bengaluru FC.

Following such a poor loss, FC Goa head coach Manolo Marquez addressed the media about the team’s performance, quality, and goal-scoring issues.

Manolo Marquez on the game:

For the majority of the game, Bengaluru FC had perfect control, with Renedy Singh’s side dominating the efforts and shots on goal despite not having much possession. Sunil Chhetri gave an early lead owing to sloppy defending from the Gaurs, while Bhutia added a second late in the match. FC Goa’s head coach believes the opposition totally deserved to win the game.

“Bengaluru FC were better. They were real players; we were kids on the ground. We started the game very soft, very light. They scored immediately and that’s all. We tried, it’s true that we tried. We created, hit the post two times, in the first half. But we didn’t play a good game.”, added Manolo Marquez.

Manolo Marquez on losing for the first time this season:

FC Goa entered the game unbeaten, having won two and drawn four of their previous six games. This loss to Bengaluru FC is their first in the 2025/26 ISL season. Manolo Marquez maintained that he was always convinced that his side would end up losing someday.

“We knew that one day this would happen because the other team, the players are better. This is the reality”, said Manolo Marquez.

Manolo Marquez on goal-scoring woes:

With only one foreigner in the attack and no genuine striker, FC Goa is visibly struggling to score goals, having scored only six in seven games this season. Indian players such as Brison Fernandes have failed to score goals, and Manolo Marquez has stated that his players are reluctant to shoot and take chances.

“It’s obvious. I don’t need to say that we have a lot of problems to score goals. We don’t have the capacity to be convinced to shoot, like Bhutia did in the second goal for Bengaluru FC, for example”, insisted Manolo Marquez

Manolo Marquez on difference compared to Bengaluru FC:

“We can be more or less similar in terms of foreigners. We can be similar in terms of the goalkeeper. But finally, in terms of the Indian players, Bengaluru is much, much better than our team”, commented Manolo Marquez

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