ISL 2017/18: Mumbai City FC were not ready for Bengaluru FC, reckons Albert Roca

Bengaluru FC breezed past Mumbai City FC in Thursday's ISL encounter. The visitors secured a vital 3-1 routine victory which temporarily takes them to the top of the points table. A Sunil Chhetri brace and a clever free kick by Miku put things beyond doubt.

With this win, Bengaluru now have 21 points in 11 outings and look on course to finish well within the top 4 in their first ever season in the ISL. Post the game, BFC coach, Albert Roca admitted that Mumbai were not ready to face his intense and hungry side.

"It was not easy, we were very focused from the beginning. They were a little bit surprised, they did not expect that we would manage the game as we did. Step my step, my team's influence grew on the game, after the first goal it was easier but it's never an easy game against Mumbai," he explained.

Throughout the game, Bengaluru regularly targeted Mumbai's left wing where Ruidas was positioned. The likes of Udanta and full back, Khabara double-teamed him on numerous occasions and Sunil's sublime second originated from Ruidas' wing. Asked if he always wanted to target the makeshift full back, this is what Albert Roca had to say.

"We did discuss it and tried to take advantage of it. Ruidas played as a winger but after Raju's injury they made a change. We took advantage of the situation but it's a shame we didn't keep a clean sheet. Emana has been alert, he was the best player in the second division of Spain. Today my team was better, we did our job,” he said.

Bengaluru will next travel to Bhutan to face Transport United in the AFC Cup. Roca will have to deal with a hectic schedule for the next couple of weeks. He did suggest that the players who played on Thursday may not necessarily play in the AFC Cup.