Signed players like Diaz to score big goals: Gerard Zaragoza

Bengaluru FC head coach Gerard Zaragoza reckons they were the better team after a 1-0 win against Kerala Blasters in the quarterfinals of the ongoing Durand Cup on Friday. The Blues entered the last four of the tournament after Jorge Pereyra Diaz scored in the stoppage time of the second half.

Zaragoza said he signed players like the Argentine to score big goals in the tournament. The Spanish football manager feels the Blues were better with and without the ball against the Yellow Tuskers.

“I think we were much much better with the ball and without the ball,” the Spaniard told indiansuperleague.com in an exclusive interview after the game in Kolkata. 

“In transitions, my players did a really nice job. Normally, we could finish before, but it happens. We scored the goal at the last minute. We signed these players to score goals like this,” he added.

Bengaluru FC will take on the defending ISL League champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the semifinals and the Spaniard wants the fans to fill the stadium with numbers.

“I want the full stadium. I want to play against a full stadium. I love this. We want to play real football, that’s the most important. Then, let’s see inside the pitch,” he said. 

“Mohun Bagan SG are the best team in terms of players. We have very good Indian players but they have 20-22 players and all of them can be in the starting 11. They are a strong team. I hope it will be a nice game,” he added. 

Meanwhile, Bengaluru FC finished at the 10th place in the ISL standings 2023-24 with five wins in 22 matches and could only muster 22 points. Thus, they were well away from qualifying from the playoffs and this was their worst season since joining the ISL in the 2017-18 campaign. 

“We need to think that we are preparing for the ISL. We wanted to win against Kerala Blasters FC, we want to win against Mohun Bagan SG, we want to reach the final and win it. But the most important thing is we are preparing the team for the league,” he said before adding that he was delighted with the squad at his disposal this season.

“All of them like Alberto Noguera, Jorge Pereyra Diaz, and also Rahul Bheke were amazing last season with Mumbai City FC. We signed very good players this season. Players who came from outside like Edgar Mendez, Pedro Capo are giving us even better quality in the team. I am happy with the team that we have,” he added.

Bengaluru FC had won the Durand Cup in 2022.