Miguel Portugal rues missed chances, Jorge Costa expects his side to do better

This win marked the Islanders' first victory at home in four attempts in the Maharashtra Derby.

Mumbai City defeated Pune City in their second home game to bury the demons of their poor home record against the Maharashtrian rivals. Modou Sougou and Rafael Bastos found the back of the net for the home team, as they produced their best performance for the first win of the fifth ISL season. The coaches of the two teams met the media after the game and shared their thoughts.

.@MumbaiCityFC picked up their first win of the season, courtesy two first-half goals by Modou Sougou and Rafael Bastos.More videos: https://t.co/mrtZlxvu6i #ISLRecap #LetsFootball #MUMPUN #FanBannaPadega pic.twitter.com/G6v6xseHKl

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) October 19, 2018

Watch: Mumbai City 2-0 Pune City

FC Pune City coach Miguel Angel Portugal rued the missed chances as his side failed to score a goal. He explained, "We had many chances to score a goal, but today was not our day."

The former Delhi gaffer was critical of his strikers and praised goalkeeper Vishal Kaith. Indeed, if not for Vishal, Mumbai would had scored at least a goal more through a penalty that the custodian saved. The Pune gaffer asserted, "I think Vishal's performance was good. Mumbai had five chances to score, including a penalty. In football, if you don't score goals, it is impossible to win."

"I tried playing offensively with wingers. I think we had many chances. (Emiliano )Alfaro had three or four chances, Robin (Singh) had two or three, few for Diego Carlos. If you don't score, you won't win," Portugal lamented.

The tactician, however, was adamant about sticking with his possession-based football. He said, "I like possession-based football, but I also like scoring goals. If you create chances but don't score, you won't win."

The Spanish coach didn't start his team's usual focal point in attack, Marcelinho. He explained the rationale behind it by saying, "Marcelinho had a tough week. We have to play Bengaluru in two days, hence he was not started."

Pune play Bengaluru FC in two days and for Portugal, this much time is not enough to make his players ready. He quipped, "It is impossible to train in just two days. The most important now is to recover."

Mumbai gaffer Jorge Costa was asked why Paulo Machado was handed the captaincy. The Portuguese coach answered, "Machado is one of my captains. I don't have one captain. I have a team and I have some leaders on the team."

ALSO READ:

• Sougou and Bastos add the double as Mumbai ease past Pune in season's first Maha Derby

• David James wary of youthful Delhi, Mridul Banerjee praises Kerala's foreigners

• Eelco Schattorie praises Bartholomew Ogbeche, John Gregory disappointed with final result

Costa was content with the way his team played, but believes there's still some scope for betterment. He explained, "It was a good first half. I think we played better than the other game. We were more aggressive when not with the ball. I think we still can do better. We are still building a team. We scored two goals in the first half and I asked the players to keep possession in the second half and try to score more."

Subhasish Bose's playing position has been a hot topic for debate. Jorge explained what his thoughts are about the same. He opined, "Subhasish didn't make the pre-season with us. My idea was to play him at left-back. But because of some injuries and absentees, we had to play him in the centre of the defence. To be honest, I am happy with him as a centre-back. If nothing happens next time, he will play as a centre-back again."

There was some confusion while taking the second penalty, which Mumbai ultimately failed to score with Lucian Goian missing it. But, for Costa, his penalty takers' lineup is fixed. "They know the lineup. First is Rafael Bastos and if he doesn't feel confident, then Goian. I am the boss. I take decisions and they follow it."

[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]

The Portuguese coach was seen getting furious at some of the refereeing decisions. The Mumbai gaffer didn't choose to respond when questioned about it. "There are things that I can control. They are my players. Sometimes, it is difficult to control my players. You all watch the game. I don't speak about things that I can't control."

Pranjal Bhumij was again given some playing minutes. Costa explained why he trusts the youngster so much. "I am happy with him, that's why he is playing. Last time I played him, he scored and got us one point. This time I played him, he helped us win three points. I am happy. To make the list of 18 players is very difficult for me."