ISL 2022-23: Its a good start for us in the semi-final – Bengaluru FC head coach Simon Grayson

Bengaluru FC head coach Simon Grayson was delighted after they won the first leg semifinal against Mumbai City FC by 1-0 at the Mumbai Football Arena on Tuesday. The Blues veteran Sunil Chhetri scored the crucial goal for the visitors from the set-piece in the 79th minute of the game.

It is a big advantage for Bengaluru FC as they scored while playing away and also extended their winning streak to nine games in the tournament.

The visitors took seven shots on target and they were able to come up with a collective performance, especially in the second half of play.

“I think you got to give Mumbai City FC the credit because we knew that they would come out in the first 10, 15, and 20 minutes. We had to make sure that we defended well and make sure that when you’re defending, defend well with passion and desire and when you get the ball, you have to keep it and be a little bit more calm and relaxed. We gave away the possession too easily in the first half. It allowed Mumbai City FC to attack more than we wanted,” Grayson said in the post-match press conference.

“So that was the message at half-time. Keep defending as individuals and work as a team. When we get the ball back, make sure that we keep it better and we asked more questions and we’ve got the goal and we looked threatening after the goal, certainly where we could have got the second or potentially a third. It’s a good start for us having the 1-0 lead, but we haven’t achieved anything yet,” he reminded.

The Englishman showered praise on veteran Sunil Chhetri, who has all the experience of playing on the big stage. Chhetri once again showed his class in the all-important fixture.

“Chhetri doesn’t need too many messages on how to play, because he has played for many, many years and he’s been very hungry and very good over the last few weeks, obviously he has been training really well and I contemplate starting him because of how he’s played (recently) and he knows what 75 minutes in the playoffs looks like, because he’s played so many games,” he said.

“And bringing Sivasakthi, later on, would give us a little bit more pace on the counter-attack but again, Chhetri comes on and does what he does. And somebody his size and to score two headed goals against Mumbai City FC in the last three, four weeks tells you he’s got a lot of heart and desire,” he commented.

The gaffer also lauded the defensive unit of the team as they were able to keep a clean sheet and the opposition at bay.

“You’ve got to defend well against a team like Mumbai City FC, they have got the most goals in the ISL league stage which shows you what they are capable of doing. They’ve got players that can make things happen out of nothing. We have spent a lot of time on the training pitch since the preseason, working on defensive shape, Not just as defenders but also the midfield players and the strikers as well and we got some leaders with good traits and good qualities and (they knew that) we shouldn’t give up opportunities to the opposition too easily. We’re happy that we’ve got a clean sheet and hopefully, we can do the same again on Sunday night,” he concluded.

The second leg will be played at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru on Sunday.