Coach Roca Spoke About The AFC Cup, Fitness Of His Players And The Need To Score More Goals…
On his instructions to the team and what he expects from Bagan in this game…
In the previous game, we created many chances but we couldn’t score as Mohun Bagan defended very well. But our motto is to never give up, I always insist that my players do their best and create chances. Yes, we have had a bit of bad luck in the last few games, but today if we convert all our chances and score goals, it will change the way the rest of the season will go. We cannot sit and complain or point out mistakes, now is the time to work hard and do our best.
Football gives you opportunities every week; it is up to us to take advantage of it. What my players have done is shown me that they have not given up, and so tomorrow the motivation is even higher to try to repeat or better our performance from last season.
On whether the battle is only between Bengaluru and Bagan for top spot…
You cannot underestimate the other teams; all of them are good sides and play good football. I do not want to think about the other teams right now. My focus is on the next game, which is against Mohun Bagan, and my aim to pick up all three points at home. We cannot afford to drop points here as it will be harder away from home.
On whether there is added pressure on BFC because only one team will qualify…
I don’t think there is any pressure; I look at it as a challenge. What is important is that our supporters are here no matter what, even in our bad moments they are backing us and that is something exceptional. That is why I encourage my players even more to try and win games for them. Because the way they support the club, even in the kind of situation we have been in in the last two months is incredible. We will work hard and play well and look to give our fans joy after every game.
On the importance of the AFC Cup and the Federation Cup…
The Federation Cup and the AFC Cup are important competitions; the AFC Cup especially is a competition that we love since we have done so well last season. Our aim here is to ensure we not only equal what we did last season, but to better it and for that we take the first step today. Every competition is important and I look to put up a good performance in every game that we play.
On Marjan Jugovic’s fitness and whether he can play a complete game…
Marjan cannot change in one or two days; fitness is something that will take time to build. He is a professional and an honest player, when we signed him, he was a free agent and was not associated to any team. But now he is here and is working hard to regain his fitness. This upcoming break will give him sufficient time to train and I’m sure he will be ready to help us in the future games.
On the fitness of his players ahead of a second game in four days…
It’s always going to be difficult to play four games in ten days. But physical conditions isn’t a problem for my team; you don’t see any of my players go down with cramps, but we see every other weekend, players from other teams go down with that sort of a problem. I think fitness wise my team has no issues, we only need to score more goals and be more efficient in the final third of the pitch. I will repeat what I have said to my players, we cannot change the past but we can change the future.
