ISL 2023-24: We had a bad result, not bad performance – Punjab FC’s Staikos Vergetis after loss against Jamshedpur FC

Punjab FC head coach Staikos Vergetis admitted they had a bad result, not a bad performance after their 0-4 loss against Jamshedpur FC in the 15th match week of the Indian Super League at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi on Thursday.

Daniel Chima Chukwu opened the scoring for the Red Miners in the 11th minute to give a 1-0 lead to his team. Mohammed Sanan then doubled the team’s lead in the 63rd minute. Subsequently, Jeremy Manzorro scored a brace as he found the back of the net in the 83rd and 86th minute.

“I believe that we have a bad result, very bad result. But we did not give a bad performance. It’s from the days that you say, today, it’s not my day,” stated Vergetis in the post-match press conference.

Opening up on his tactics during the game, the Greek manager said, He said, “We tried a lot of ways, especially in the first half, to score. We should have done two or three goals to say, more than it’s the reality. But we did not score the goals and the opposition, with few attacks, we conceded. And after we made the team very offensive, I put very offensive players, changed the formation, freed spaces in our back.”

Vergetis lauded the opposition for their transition and also hailed Manzorro for scoring a brace from free-kicks.

Vergetis added, “The opponent was good in the transition, a very good team. They killed us. And the free kicks of Manzorro. The two free kicks gave the result a big dimension. But as I said, we had a bad result, but not as bad a performance as the score shows.”

The gaffer heaped praise on defender Nikhil Prabhu. The youngster has 32 successful tackles, 36 clearances, 27 interceptions, 12 blocks and a goal to his name in the ongoing season.

“Nikhil Prabhu has changed position. He was a central defender in the previous years and now we have put him in front of the defence, as a defensive midfielder who cut the attacks of the opponents. I think that he is having an excellent season, good season, he is doing good games generally and with the ball, he helps with the first pass so that the team can go and attack. I am satisfied,” said Vergetis.

Punjab FC will next face Hyderabad FC at the GMC Balayogi Stadium on 27th February.