Gerard Nus: Sad to see players leaving due to long & medium-term injuries

The Spaniard spoke on the back of his side's 2-2 draw against Bengaluru FC.

NorthEast United continued their unbeaten start to the Indian Super League season, with a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Bengaluru FC. Winger Luis Machado scored a brace for NEUFC, while Juanan and Udanta Singh were the goalscorers for the Blues. The draw meant that both teams are still unbeaten in the league. NorthEast United head coach Gerard Nus spoke to the media after the match.

The Spaniard stated that he was happy with his team’s performances so far. “I am happy with the fighting spirit and a lot of things that we have done. We have played five games, we are the only or the first team to have played five games since the league started. This is a massive effort from the players.” 

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“Last game was three days ago. Also, we try to rotate players as much as possible because they deserve it, because they are good players and obviously because we want to prevent injuries. It is really sad to see players leave the tournament because of long and medium-term injuries. This is something that I am really concerned about and I want to avoid as much as possible.”

Gerard Nus started Rochharzela and VP Suhair ahead of Apuia and Ninthoi on the evening. When asked if he would keep changing his starting XI in the coming games, the Spaniard said, “Every game is an opportunity for players. Every game is a challenge for the coach to decide who starts and also who can come in. It’s tough when you have players and they are training really hard to give everything, whatever time they play. So, it is a huge task ahead for the coaching staff, but I am happy with everybody’s performance.”

On being asked about the performance of the youngsters in his team, the Highlanders’ coach said, “I am really happy with everyone, no matter if they are young or less young. I think everyone did almost, not perfectly, as we had a few mistakes that we have to try to improve. But, we did quite remarkable. So, let’s keep the positives from the game and the other things that we have to learn. Now, we have a few more days to get ready for the next one.”

A mistake in the defence led to Udanta scoring Bengaluru’s second goal. When asked to comment on the defensive error the NorthEast United tactician said, “I need to watch the goals again. Because we need to see exactly what happened. I spoke to our players and it was a misunderstanding at the end of the day.”

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“Everything goes so quick, they have to decide. These things happen in the game, but it’s not about pointing at one player or another. We all win, we all draw or we all lose and that is what matters. What matters is we improve in many areas. Also, we give a lot of time to players that didn’t have too much time before and keep everybody on their feet for the next one.”

NorthEast United took the lead at one point in the match and were trailing at another. On being asked if it felt like a point won or two points dropped, Gerard Nus replied, “We wanted to get the three points, but at the end of the day you see how the game started. We were quite quick scoring and then obviously you have in your mind that you are going to get the three points.”

“But, everything can change, especially against a side like this, that two years ago won the championship. Last year, they were in the semi-finals. So, definitely we knew that it was going to be really tough and it has been really tough. I take it as a positive. We keep our run as an undefeated team, we stay on top of the ladder. But, now we are just thinking about the next one, to get good recovery for the next game on Sunday against Chennaiyin,” he added.

With their draw against Bengaluru FC on Tuesday, NorthEast United remain one of the few undefeated sides in the ISL. The Highlanders are also the first team to have played five games this season and are looking like a playoffs contender.

"It's good when you see the lead and we're on top right now, I mean, with this group of teams (Mumbai City FC, ATK Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC). But, we think about the playoff, I said already I don't know what that means, I don't understand it, maybe it's a translation thing," he jokingly said.

"It looks like everyone will be available for the next one (match against Chennaiyin FC), and that's my worry now (lineups)," he signed off.