ISL 2023-24: I really appreciate my players for the effort – East Bengal FC’s Carles Cuadrat after loss against Mumbai City FC

East Bengal FC head coach Carles Cuadrat was happy with the effort of his players despite their 1-0 loss against Mumbai City in the 15th match week of the Indian Super League at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Tuesday.

Iker Guarrotxena scored in the 24th minute after Alberto Noguera delivered the cross to put his team in front.

Meanwhile, East Bengal FC could only have 33.4% possession and could not afford to take a solitary shot on target throughout the game.

“I really appreciate my players for the effort (in these tough situations) and I really appreciate the club. They understand the situation. They have been supporting me a lot. They are also working to get some players (for the future). We are doing things in the right direction, the club and Emami. I think for the first time in 10 years, there is a roadmap,” Cuadrat stated in the post-match press conference.

“We were champions 15 days ago and we played a wonderful game against Mohun Bagan (Super Giant) after the (Kalinga) Super Cup. But we lost Saul (Crespo), we lost (Jose Antonio) Pardo. We lost Cleiton today (due to a suspension). It’s a lot of things happening. So don’t talk that we have been finishing six games winless. It’s another situation,” he added.

East Bengal FC has won only two matches out of the 13 they have played in the ongoing ISL season. Cuadrat’s team is in 10th place with a total of 12 points in the standings. But the Spaniard is optimistic of turning the tides and making the playoffs.

“100% (we can make it to the playoffs). I believe,” he said.

“I am already demanding my players to believe and our supporters to believe (the same). We have been celebrating (a) wonderful (achievement) 15 days ago (winning the Kalinga Super Cup), it’s something very special for the club. We finished off the celebrations really fast because we were fighting against Mohun Bagan (SG) the next game. So it’s not that we are complacent. We have a plan. We want to fight for that (playoff) place. I believe and I want the East Bengal FC people to believe,” Cuadrat explained.

East Bengal FC will next take on Hyderabad FC at the GMC Balayogi Stadium, Hyderabad on Saturday.