Bengaluru FC head coach Gerard Zaragoza believes his team were the better team in the Durand Cup quarter-final against Kerala Blasters FC and hailed goalscorer Jorge Pereyra Diaz for his impact on the match.

The Argentine scored the game’s only goal in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time to hand the Blues a ticket to the semi-finals at the expense of thor Kochi-based rivals.

In a tight contest, Diaz’s predatory instincts proved to be the difference and enhanced the chances of his side to win the season’s first piece of silverware.

Zaragoza was pleased with the performance of his team and felt vindicated for investing heavily in quality in the summer.

“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 who won the Durand Cup in 2022 will look to repeat the feat in 2024 but standing in their way are holders and defending ISL League champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant. With the game set to be played in Kolkata, the Mariners will also enjoy home advantage.

The Spanish head coach is relishing the prospect of taking on the Kolkata Giants in their backyard.

“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.

Zaragoza though remains focused on getting his team up to speed for the Indian Super League (ISL) season where the Blues will look to qualify for the playoffs after missing out last season.

“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.

We are thrilled to be in the semi-finals: Sunil Chhetri

Bengaluru FC captain Sunil Chhetri was pleased to see his team reach another semi-final and is looking forward to the encounter against Mohun Bagan SG in the last four stage.

“It's always going to be difficult playing against Mohun Bagan SG at Salt lake stadium. We are happy because we made it to the semi-final,” Chhetri told indiansuperleague.com in an interview.

“We all know the kind of the fan base they enjoy here at Salt Lake. They already have a good side. They are a champion side and they're going to play at home by default,” he added.

Chhetri felt his side did well to come out on top in a close game against a rival side in the quarter-final.

“Right now just thinking about what went well in the game. It was really difficult. It wasn't easy so we're just thrilled that we made the semi-finals. We're going to watch all the videos and the coaching staff is preparing everything that we have to know before the next game,” he signed off.

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Kerala Blasters FCBengaluru FC Sunil ChhetriJorge Pereyra Diaz