ISL 2021-22: It’s important to be still in the semifinal race – Bengaluru FC’s Marco Pezzaiuoli

Bengaluru FC head coach Marco Pezzaiuoli stated it’s important to be still alive in the semifinal race in the ongoing Hero Indian Super League. The Blues were able to stay afloat in the last four race after they defeated Odisha FC by 2-1 in the 97th match of the season at the Athletic Stadium, Bambolim on Monday.

Nandha gave the lead to Odisha FC in the eighth minute of the game. However, Bengaluru FC bounced back in style as Danish equalized for them in the 31st minute. Subsequently, Cleiton Silva was able to put Bengaluru FC in front as he scored after four minutes into the second half.

The match was a tight contest as Bengaluru FC took five shots on target while Odisha FC made a total of six attempts. With this win, Bengaluru FC climbed to fifth place in the standings with 26 points after 18 matches.

Marco Pezzaiuoli stated it is imperative to have the satisfaction that they gave their best in the season irrespective of the end result.

Marco Pezzaiuoli said in the post-match press conference, “We talked before that we had four games, we lost one, now we won one. It’s important to be still in the race. I told the players the importance for us to look in the mirror, you give your best and when we win it is good because when we look in the mirror we didn’t give our best. We cannot be happy at the end of the season, maybe we reach the top four, maybe not, but we need to look in the mirror and say okay we did our best in the season”.

On the other hand, Pezzaiuoli played a different team and he revealed that he wanted fresh legs on the pitch and thus made the changes.

He added, “All the players that we have in our group can be the first choice and I believe in my players. In training, everybody is very good and everybody who is coming inside is the first choice. And why I did it today, we played three days ago and I wanted to have some fresh legs in the team. Against Hyderabad  Udanta was out, in the last game we had Prince out and today we have Sunil out. We have good strikers on the bench but to refresh legs for the season of injury and Yaya had the first game after almost three months break and I didn’t want to have a muscle injury”.

Pezzaiuoli was also happy for Sarthak Golui who finally got some game time after missing the game due to personal reasons.

He concluded, “I’m happy for him because it’s not easy when you have parents passed. He had our support. But in the end, it is him alone with his mother. And of course, he had a lot of energy you wanted to play earlier. But he was almost two months out and I tried to keep him patient, enjoy life, enjoy football, enjoy the training. And I think also the team give him a lot of support and also the staff members around and he felt well and as he deserved to play, to get minutes and that’s why I’m happy for him”.

Bengaluru FC will next face ATK Mohun Bagan on Sunday at the PJN Stadium, Fatorda.