Bengaluru FC head coach Gerard Zaragoza was content with earning a valuable point against Odisha FC in their Indian Super League (ISL) tie at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday.

The Blues faced the challenge without their two primary centre-backs, Aleksandar Jovanovic and Slavko Damjanovic, and midfield general Suresh Singh Wangjam, all absent due to suspension. Despite these key players missing, Zaragoza's squad displayed significant defensive prowess throughout the game to effectively neutralize Odisha FC's attacking threats.

The Spanish head coach expressed satisfaction with his team's solid defensive performance and their ability to secure a clean sheet against a formidable Odisha FC side.

“I'm too proud of my players. I think that all Bengaluru people will be proud of them,” Zaragoza stated in the post-match press conference.

“We played against one of the top three teams of this season and we showed that we could've won the game. They had one clear chance, of course, we cannot forget this. But, we too, had enough chances to score and win the game,” he added.

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Bengaluru FC have now played six home games under Zaragoza, and they have continued their resilient form at home, securing four clean sheets in those matches and remaining unbeaten at home under the new Spanish coach.

The head coach was full of praise for his goalkeeper, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who made five saves in the game to secure Bengaluru FC’s fifth clean sheet of the season.

“We've played six games with me at home, and we've kept four clean sheets. I want to talk about Gurpreet (Singh Sandhu) because this week people were talking about him. But he continues to tell everyone that he's the best,” the Spaniard opined.

“We have one point more. And as I always say, the race (for the top six) continues,” he added.

Bengaluru FC currently sit sixth in the table with 22 points from 20 matches. But to secure a place in the playoffs, they must win their remaining two matches, which are against the two Kolkata clubs, East Bengal FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant.

Zaragoza wants to focus on the first game now and take full points away from home for the first time this season. Their away record hasn’t been good at all, but he urges his players to change that.

“The first match is against East Bengal, away from home. The reality is that we want to win outside (home). I've spoken with the players; it's time to win (away match),” he said.

“It's impossible that we are in the top five in terms of home record but last in away form, and this cannot continue. We need to take all three points against East Bengal,” Zaragoza commented.