ISL 2023-24: The players are doing a good job: Mohun Bagan SG’s Juan Ferrando

Mohun Bagan Super Giant head coach Juan Ferrando said that the players are doing a fine job after their 2-0 win against Hyderabad FC in the Indian Super League at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneshwar on Saturday.

Brendan Hamill scored the opening goal for the Mariners in the 85th minute to put his team in front. Subsequently, Asish Rai struck in the injury time to help his team claim all three points.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant have been brilliant so far in the ongoing season, winning all of their five matches. They are the only team in the standings with a 100% win record.

“It’s a difficult match, we know. My opinion on Hyderabad, the last three matches, against Kerala Blasters FC, and also against Chennaiyin FC, they played better. They improved a lot of things. It’s a difficult team, so I imagine the match for us was difficult because it’s difficult to find the spaces. But okay, I’m so happy because at the end, in the second half, we were much, much better. We found the spaces and in the end, our chances were more clear and (we) won the match,” Ferrando stated in the post-match press conference.

In fact, Mohun Bagan Super Giant suffered a 5-2 loss against Odisha FC in the AFC Cup but they were able to turn the tables against the Nizams in the ISL.

“For us today, the most important is the reaction. You know, because when you lose one match (on Monday) and then on Saturday you have (to play) another match away in a difficult situation, (then) the most important (thing) is the reaction. Of course, in the first half, we were not fresh. This is the truth. We are not clearly in this with all, but in the second half we were much better,” he shared.

The gaffer also gave an update on recoveries of Dimitri Petratos and Manvir Singh from their respective injuries and said he doesn’t want to rush them back into action.

“This is (on) medical staff. They are working a lot. They are trying to do their best day by day. It’s difficult, the injuries, when Achilles injuries in muscles, it’s very difficult to talk and tell you (what might happen) next Wednesday or next Thursday because maybe tomorrow they feel much better. Maybe if the scan results are positive, then on Wednesday (they) will be ready. Manvir was much better but when he joined the national team. I don’t know what happened in this case. (He) came back with an injury and. Everybody knows about (the injuries of) Anwar (Ali), and Ashique (Kuruniyan). It’s difficult,” he explained.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant will next play against Odisha FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharti Krirangan Stadium, Kolkata on Wednesday.