ISL 2017: Bengaluru weren't clinical enough against Chennaiyin, says Sunil Chhetri
After Bengaluru FC were handed their first defeat in the ISL at home (their second overall), captain Sunil Chhetri lamented his side's lack of composure in spite of dominating the game. Chennai won the derby game 2-1 with Chhetri scoring the only goal for the home side and the result now sees the two sides and Goa tied at 12 points each at the top.
The Blues did have their chances but failed to test Chennai goalkeeper Karanjit Singh enough. Bengaluru had 60% possession but could only muster 4 shots on target.
"I think we did create chances but we weren't clinical in the final third," the Blues skipper explained. "But I think we dominated them.
"They didn't have many clear chances. At least I can't remember any clear chances they had. We completely dominated them," he reiterated.
"But they defended well and they took their chances - especially for the first goal."
The opening goal had come in the fifth minute when Lenny Rodrigues' attempted clearance came off Chhetri in the box, allowing Jeje Lalpekhlua to pounce on the loose ball and score.
"For the first goal, Lenny tried to clear and it hit me on my thigh before it went to Jeje who was free. And the second goal was a set-piece.
"We'll have to go back and watch the game completely. But we dominated them."
Chhetri also seemed to have picked up a knock in the game. The Blues forward was visibly limping but he shrugged it off and claimed he was alright.
However, with a third game coming up in less than a week when Bengaluru host Jamshedpur FC at the Kanteerava on Thursday, Roca might rest the 33-year-old Indian skipper.
With AFC Cup commitments also on the horizon, Roca will be rotating his squad to ensure all his players remain in top shape for the rest of the campaign.