"Need to ask Sunil," Marco Pezzaiuoli rues missed penalty in Mumbai loss

The Blues have now extended their winless run to three games in the league.

Bengaluru FC experienced their second defeat in the ongoing ISL season on Saturday tonight as they were beaten by defending champions Mumbai City FC. While they played much better initially in the first half, multiple missed chances and defensive errors eventually cost them the game. In other words, a missed penalty by captain Sunil Chhetri and goals conceded by poor coordination aided by stunning finishing from the Islanders meant a win for Mumbai. Following the game, the Blues' head coach Marco Pezzaiuoli spoke at the post-match press conference.

On Sunil Chhetri's performance

The 53-year-old spoke about captain Sunil Chhetri's performance, who has been going through a rough patch of form.

"I need to ask Sunil. I think he still wants to do (perform); he tries to get a lot of energy in the game. Sometimes he has bad luck and I don't think it's many times that he's had such a situation in his career," he began.

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"Now he's almost at the end of his career. Sunil knows it was an important situation for the team (the penalty). Also, he took the responsibility to go there and try to shoot to make (get back) in the game. It's the second time we missed a penalty and the second time we lost," he expressed.

Thoughts on the game

Marco Pezzaiuoli was quizzed regarding his opinions on the game. He was asked whether the missed penalty would have made any difference in the outcome or not.

"I think so. In the first half, we were the better team from the first minute. We hit the post directly in the beginning -- from Cleiton (Silva). We pressed very high and came very fast. The defence line was better than the other games. I think it's one of the best games we did (had). We made three mistakes again. I think we have enough experience to defend better in two-versus-one situations against teams to block him (them) and not let them jump," he remarked.

"Even the first goal, I think we can defend better — Gupreet (Singh Sandhu) as a goalkeeper can step more up. He's a tall goalkeeper and has enough experience to get his ball. In the end as well; a long ball and losing one-versus-one situations in heading. These are things (areas) we can do better. But the team played a really good game I think," he opined.

On starting Ibara and Silva up front

Marco Pezzaiuoli was questioned on his decision to start Prince Ibara and Cleiton Silva up front and whether it was a strategy to instantly pounce on Mumbai City's defence.

"Of course. That's all our style (of play). The earlier we get the ball of the opponent, the better. Prince (Ibara) has a lot of speed and I think in the first 30 minutes, he brought a lot of energy inside (to) the game. Our right side especially was good. It's also not easy as a team when you lose him (Ibara) after just 30 minutes," he responded.

"But I think Edu (Edmund Lalrindika) had a great game. He came inside and got the penalty because it was his action (1v1) that won it. Bidya (Bidyashagar Singh) made his debut and (for) Siva (Sivasakthi Narayanan), it was his second game," he continued.

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"Roshan (Naorem Roshan Singh) and the goal (free-kick) were unbelievable. (Roshan) is also a young guy who is playing inside (the squad) for the first time. You (can) see the changing of BFC. That's the important part and also the style. I think we played a very good game," he emphasised.

On Mumbai City FC's performance

The 53-year-old was asked whether it was fair to say that the Islanders dominated the match on Saturday night. The Blues looked better in the initial minutes, however, the Islanders came back with all their might in the second half and looked like the superior side.

"No. Mumbai didn't dominate the game. I think in the first half, we were clearly the better team. They only shot long balls and our counter-pressing was very good. I think in the end, of course, they had good ball possession after 3-1 (third goal) and 2-1 (second goal) as well. But not till 2-1 (before the second goal)," he signed off.

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