FC Goa head coach Juan Ferrando was pleased with the way his team came back after trailing 2-0 against Bengaluru FC in Match 3 of the 2020-21 Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) at the Fatorda Stadium on Sunday.

In what was the first encounter for both teams this season, Bengaluru showed great discipline in all areas of the pitch, and even though Goa dominated possession, they managed to take a 2-0 lead through strikes from Cleiton Silva and Juanan and looked set to take all three points. However, Goa’s Spanish import Igor Angulo struck twice in the space of four minutes to help the Gaurs share the spoils with Bengaluru.

The arrival of Alexander Jesuraj, Brandon Fernandes, Aiban Dohling and Alberto Noguera in the second half breathed life into Goa and they were a different team thereafter. Talking about their telling impact at the post-match press conference, Ferrando said: “Not only Brandon, Aiban, Alberto Noguera, Alexander Romario [Jesuraj], all players were working a lot on the pitch and helping the team. I think after going down by two goals, it was important to change the system. I am happy because we made it 2-2, but I am not so happy because we got only one point but we played like we wanted all three points.”

When asked about Angulo’s performance on debut for Goa, Ferrando gave a short-and-sweet reply: “Igor is a No. 9, the most important player in the team. It was his job to score the goals,” he said.

Watch Juan Ferrando's Post-Match Press conference here:

Meanwhile, Bengaluru head coach Carles Cuadrat didn’t agree to a query that his team got complacent having struck twice. “Our players were fighting for the full points and we were pushing from the first minute. The thing is we are still in pre-season because it has been a short pre-season for us and my team gave their best. There was a moment where we started to suffer and we tried to make the substitutions. But such things happen. They have a very good team, a lot of quality players and this kind of thing happens,” he said.

Cuadrat may not have been satisfied with the final result but at the same time he was glad that his team didn’t suffer any injuries, considering the unique nature of this season. “It’s been tough for the players because we have had only a few weeks of pre-season. It’s not an excuse.

“…Fortunately, there were no injuries today. We have to try to preserve the health of the players,” he said.

Watch Carles Cuadrat's Post-Match Press conference here: