Punjab FC head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis was proud of his side’s response as they edged past Bengaluru FC in a five-goal thriller in the Indian Super League (ISL) on Saturday.

Punjab FC staged a valiant comeback, overturning a deficit to secure three points and snap their seven-game winless streak. Bengaluru FC took the lead through Edgar Mendez before the hosts restored parity, with Asmir Suljic converting from the spot. Filip Mrzljak then put Punjab FC ahead, but Bengaluru FC equalised in injury time through Rahul Bheke. However, Punjab FC refused to settle for a draw, as a late counter-attack saw Luka Majcen score the winner.

The result marked the Shers’ seventh win of the season, bringing them within five points of sixth-placed Mumbai City FC. Dilmperis also spoke about the tactical tweaks he made after his side conceded first.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, he said: “It’s great that we managed to react. (It was a) really fast reaction with the penalty and then we took a big risk by playing 4-4-2 for some minutes. And then the game changed. We started having more possession. We started to possess the ball more and create things until we returned back to 4-2-3-1 and it was the move that unlocked the game with Filip, he came in and scored the goal. We returned to 5-4-1 in the last 10 minutes because we knew they would start crossing and we needed bodies for the set-pieces which we know Bengaluru FC is strong. We lost one marking and it was 2-2. At this moment, God was with us. In the last moment, Nihal (Sudeesh) did an amazing run and an amazing pass and Luka was there (to finish it).”

He added: “Now we are alive. When you want to be alive, you have to take risks. We took a risk. With Petros (Giakoumakis) injured on the knee and Luka coming back and playing 4-4-2 was a risky thing because we knew that the three midfielders of Bengaluru FC will be free. But it worked well for us. I know sometimes I don’t like these changes, it confuses the players, but sometimes you have to risk it.”

Dilmperis introduced Sudeesh, Majcen, and Mrzljak around the hour mark, and the three substitutes made a significant impact, playing key roles in Punjab FC’s last two goals.

“It’s amazing when you can turn back to the bench and you see these players as options,” the Punjab FC head coach said.

Majcen, in particular, stood out — first contributing to Mrzljak’s goal, which was scored on the rebound, before netting the winner after a well-timed through ball from Sudeesh.

Speaking about Majcen’s impact off the bench, he said: “It’s part of our strategy in some games. Nobody should know in public what exactly we do. Luka knew it that he is going to come and score.”