"I am very happy about the mentality of the team" - Bengaluru FC coach Marco Pezzaiuoli ahead of match against Odisha FC
After bagging three points in their season-opener against NorthEast United FC under harsh weather conditions, Bengaluru FC are brimming with confidence as they look to go into their second game against Odisha FC.
Bengaluru FC gaffer Marco Pezzaiuoli spoke to the press ahead of the game, where he admitted he was impressed with the mentality of the team. The German also believes his side were a better team in the second half.
"I am very happy about the mentality of the team because we came back after the opponents scored a goal... I think, first we got 3 points," he said. "That was very important. We scored 4 goals, that's also a very good part. I think in the second half we played a very good game."
Pezzaiuoli was especially pleased with the positioning and high pressing because the team did not lose the ball in the middle third, which made it more comfortable for the defense.
He believes that when a team loses the ball easily in the first half, the whole team has to defend it. Yet, the team presented itself well, which is why he said they deserved to win the game.
Get the ISL 2021 result from yesterday's match here.
Bengaluru FC boss delighted with Sunil and Udanta after first match
After showing glimpses of his abilities in the first game, winger Udanta Singh earned praise from the Bengaluru FC gaffer.
"Udanta made a good game after not an easy preparation because he came from the national team where he didn't play as much as Sunil," he said. "But I think he made a nice pass though for the goal for Cleiton. He showed his quality."
However, Pezzaiuoli also underlined the need for Udanta to improve on his work rate and get his positioning right.
"But in the end, he has more space to go, more in position, more movement without ball and asking for the ball and not only waiting to get the ball in midfield," the German pointed out. "He has quality of speed, that's why he needs to ask more without having having the ball and also coming in better positions to score goals."
The Bengaluru FC head coach also heaped praise on star forward Sunil Chhetri despite also believing he could do better for the side in future games.
"Sometimes Sunil came too inside," he said. "But for wingers, it is very important to have balls from the midfield and he didn't get so much balls from central midfield. That's why we need to improve to get him in a better position."
Pezzaiuoli feels that Chhetri needs to be more in the box and act as the second striker, which was missing in the game against NorthEast United FC. The Bengaluru FC coach believes the 37-year-old still has the quality to score a few goals.
Speaking about their next game against Odisha FC, the Bengaluru FC coach stated that it is difficult to focus on an opponent who they know nothing about. He added that it's important for the Blues to focus on themselves and take the positives from the NorthEast United FC game to improve.