A 0-0 scoreline between FC Pune City and Bengaluru FC at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium in Pune in the first leg of the first semi-final of Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 ensured that all eyes stay glued to the second leg to be played in Bengaluru on Sunday. The Blues did fashion some scoring chances, while also managing to keep the Stallions’ clinical attacking unit at bay. Post 90 minutes of play, indiansuperleague.com spoke with the visitor’s captain Sunil Chhetri and Spanish defender Juanan to find out their views on the match and the road ahead. Here are the excerpts.

Your thoughts on the match?

Chhetri: It was difficult. Both the teams were set up really well. Both the sides defended really well. The openings were very few. There were only half chances, there weren’t any clear-cut chances. We as a team, would have loved to have an away goal. But anyway, 0-0 isn’t bad. We will go back and be as strong as possible on our home turf.

Juanan: I think today, the team was working very nice and we had a lot of opportunities. I think everyone worked hard for 90 minutes and now it’s an important game for us at home.

How will the team prepare for the next leg?

Chhetri: We are confident as a team when we play at home but it is not going to be easy. As I said, Pune is a good team. We have to go back to the drawing board and see where we can improve, have a strategy and we will go and give our best in the semi-final. There is no holding us back. We have just one game left in the semi-final and we will give our best to win the football match.

Juanan: We are going for the win again and I think, it is very important that we don’t change, but continue the same. The style for Bengaluru FC will continue.

Chhetri, what do you make of the team’s attacking display tonight?

The way we used to play wasn’t the same today, but it is just because Pune is not an easy team to play against and it is the semi-finals. So, you don’t want to make mistakes. 0-0 isn’t bad as I said. We just have to go back, win a football game and we will back ourselves at home.

What are you views on your free-kick which Vishal Kaith managed to keep out?

We train with the national team and he knows which side I go. So I just tried to change it. I almost had him, but great save. He is doing really well this season, but I would have it had the ball gone inside the net.

Juanan, who according to you was the top performer today?

I think the team is working very nice. The other team didn’t have many opportunities. But I think these games are very difficult because we now have 90 minutes more.

Do you think playing at home is an advantage?

Yes, the fans are very important because when you see the blue family in the stadium it is more important for the team, as it means more motivation with the fans. I think it is very important that the fans fill the stadiums. I think that is the best.