East Bengal FC Coach Cuadrat Admits Team’s Struggles After Defeat to FC Goa in ISL

East Bengal FC suffered a defeat against FC Goa in the Indian Super League, with head coach Carles Cuadrat admitting his team’s subpar performance. The match saw FC Goa secure a victory at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, courtesy of a goal from Noah Sadaoui in the first half.

Despite FC Goa’s efforts to increase their lead, they failed to capitalize on additional opportunities. This loss marked East Bengal FC’s eighth defeat of the season, with two of those losses coming at the hands of FC Goa during the league stages. Cuadrat acknowledged the dominance of FC Goa, highlighting the physicality that posed a considerable challenge for his squad.

Reflecting on the game, Cuadrat expressed his team’s struggles against FC Goa’s superior physical game. Attempting to implement a strategic match plan, East Bengal FC found it difficult to compete against FC Goa’s strength and anticipation on the field.

Following the resumption of the ISL post-international break in February, East Bengal FC faced a demanding schedule with eight matches in a month compared to ten games between September and December 2023. Cuadrat recognized the strain placed on both established players and recent additions like Felicio Forbes, Victor Vazquez, and Aleksandar Pantic, who joined in the January transfer window.

Acknowledging the efforts of his players amidst the packed fixture list, Cuadrat highlighted the challenge of adapting to the sudden increase in games. Injuries to key players like Saul Crespo and Jose Pardo forced adjustments to the team’s plans, requiring newer additions to quickly acclimate to the team’s tactics.

Despite facing setbacks and unexpected changes due to injuries, Cuadrat emphasized the importance of perseverance and resilience, urging his team to continue pushing forward. As East Bengal FC navigates the demanding ISL schedule, Cuadrat remains focused on maximizing the potential of his players and overcoming obstacles that arise in their path.