ISL 2024-25: East Bengal coach Oscar Bruzon rues miss-chances after Odisha defeat, vows to come back strongly

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East Bengal's performance improved, but their fortunes in terms of results remained the same as the Torch Bearers suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Odisha FC on Tuesday (October 22).

It was a breathtaking start from the Red and Gold Brigade who created multiple opportunities in the first 20 minutes, but failed to take any of them. Roy Krishna gave Odisha the lead, whereas Dimitrios Diamantakos scored from the spot to restore parity. Then a second-half goal from Mourtada Fall sealed the points for the Kalinga Warriors, whereas the visitors suffered further with Provat Lakra seeing a Red Card.

With the defeat, East Bengal remain at the bottom of the ISL points table. They have nothing to show for in the points column and will now venture for the AFC Challenge League in Bhutan.

The East Bengal coach Oscar Bruzon spoke to MyKhel at the post-match press conference and opined on the team's performance, the future ahead, and also sent a special message to the fans.

On Misopportunties being main reason for Defeat

"We made a beautiful start. There were many chances made by us and Odisha had a lot of difficulty with the connection of the players in front. The game was totally ours.
It's a pity that we, from here, missed so many chances and the moment that they got the 1-0, it was much more difficult for us because they saw the tempo of the game."

The East Bengal coach also called for patience as they look to navigate out of the mud in this ISL season.

"I hope everybody will have a little bit of patience and faith because I think at some point, no matter what, the point is that we need to capitalise and get the possible chances," Bruzon said.

On Improvements and Players

The East Bengal coach also said that the players are believing in his ideas, but conceded that missing so many opportunities cost them the match.

"I think it's not only about what we say, what we show in the pitch and the feeling of the players. I think that the players are confident that this is the way. They believe that in the new ideas that we are bringing. In football, when don't take five or six chances, at some point, they are going to have their eyes on you. And this is what happened today."

On Playoff Hopes and if Break will help East Bengal

East Bengal will now play in the AFC Challenge Cup as the team flies to Bhutan. After that, in the entirety of November, the Red and Gold brigade have a couple of matches in the league. And Bruzon believes as they didn't take the chances in the last two matches, they will have to start winning games to qualify for the playoffs. The Spaniard also thinks the break will the most pivotal juncture for the Kolkata club to revive their season.

"Unfortunately Yes [the break is important]. I say unfortunately because before the break, we had a chance to play Mohun Bagan and Odisha and we didn't get anyhing. We now have the AFC Challenge League. So the break is going to be important for the team. Already one-fourth of the season is done, six games gone and we have zero points. So to finish in the top six, we need to start winning games."

A Message for the Fans

The East Bengal head coach also sent a special message for the travelling fans and the supporters back home. He called for patience and vowed to come back strongly in the coming days.

"They are the most important part. They have shown me confidence, they are pushing. They understand that I am fully motivated and I want to put the club where it deserves. If I can to say something, believe in our team. We are going to come back, and I am not talking about next season, we are gonna come back soon. So be with the team. We will do everything and try to change the things in our way," Bruzon concluded.