Gerard Zaragoza hails veteran Sunil Chhetri after win against Mohammedan SC

Bengaluru FC head coach Gerard Zaragoza lauded veteran Sunil Chhetri after a 2-1 win against Mohammedan SC in matchweek 9 of the ongoing Indian Super League at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata on Wednesday.

The visitors conceded early after Manzoki scored in the eighth minute of the game. However, the Blues equalized as their captain Sunil Chhetri scored from the spot kick in the 82nd minute. This was the 20th goal for Chhetri from a penalty spot in the ISL.

The tourists were able to bag all three points after Ogier scored an own goal in the stoppage time. Zaragoza feels Chhetri was not at his best in the last three games but he didn’t let his energy drop in the practice sessions.

“I am very happy for Sunil Chhetri,” Zaragoza said at the post-match press conference.

“He puts this winning mentality in every single training and every single exercise. He wasn’t good in the last three games but he bounced back and he deserves all the plaudits,” he added.

The Spanish football manager hailed his team’s winning mentality after a much-needed away win.

“We showed the winning mentality that we want,” he said.

“There is talent (in our team) but the opponents scored early and tried to slow the game down and we could not play. They played a good game. But then when the game finishes in this way, it shows the mentality of the team,” he added.

Zaragoza admitted that the ISL is more competitive in the ongoing season as at least 10 teams are fighting for the playoff berth.

“The ISL is more competitive for sure this season. This season almost 11-13 teams are fighting for the top positions and it is going to be difficult to play against these teams,” he concluded.

Bengaluru FC will next take on Odisha FC at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneshwar on Sunday.