We’re still not completely ready, admits Carles Cuadrat after Hyd draw

The Bengaluru FC boss also explained the reason of his aggressive reaction moments after the final whistle.

Bengaluru FC were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Hyderabad FC at the Fatorda Stadium on Saturday. It meant that the Blues were unable to pick up their first win of the seventh Indian Super League (ISL) season after a pretty lacklustre performance against a sturdy Hyderabad FC side. Carles Cuadrat was obviously not a happy man after the game.

When asked if this puts an early dampener on Bengaluru’s ambitions to consolidate the top spot in the league, he said, “Yeah we were fighting for the three points in this game and in the game against Goa as well. We try our best but the other team also had a good organization and fought their way to get points. That’s the way it is and I felt it was a very tactical game in which both sides were trying to fight for the victory.”

After a game in which BFC really struggled to create chances, the creativity issue was asked to the gaffer, he replied, “Well, of course, if we don’t play with Dimas (Delgado), it’s a completely different team. Dimas is our key player for creativity and I think the team improved in the second half." 

“But you know how are the circumstances with Covid and he also had some little problems. I’m happy that we have no injuries. Unfortunately, Hyderabad suffered two injuries and that’s something that can happen in the moment. We are trying to preserve our players and until now, things are working in that sense,” he added. 

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When asked about his game-plan for the clash with HFC also pushing his side backwards with their clever attacks, Carles Cuadrat explained, “We know that when the game is going on, they are going to attack and space will be there. We had some good chances, Cleiton arrived inside the box and had a good chance. I feel that we were close to getting a 1-0 win, but you know that’s how football is.”

The Spaniard surprisingly flared up after the final whistle blew and charged his way to have a talk with the referee. When asked about his aggressive reactions, Cuadrat said, “Well, we were on a counter-attack! Cleiton had the ball in perfect control and he can make the last attacking action of the game. It was our ball and I got a little bit frustrated that the whistle was blown too early. But it’s okay, no more problems!”

With two draws to kick off their season, Bengaluru have much to improve to climb up the table. When asked about what needs to be improved, Carles Cuadrat explained, “I think we have to improve in all the aspects of the game. It’s clear that we’re still not completely ready and not perfectly adapted to the physical conditions that you have in a normal season." 

“But with every passing week in which we’re training, we are slowly getting better. I’m sure that the team were much more fitter physically today than in our previous game and that we’ll be in a better shape against Chennaiyin than we were today,” he concluded. 

Bengaluru FC return to action in the ISL on Friday, when they face rivals Chennaiyin FC in a Southern Derby at the GMC Stadium.

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