Kalinga Super Cup 2025: East Bengal Coach Oscar Bruzon Demands Overhaul After Humiliating Loss to Kerala Blasters

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Following a disheartening defeat to Kerala Blasters in the Kalinga Super Cup, East Bengal’s head coach, Oscar Bruzon, did not mince words during the post-match press conference, expressing deep disappointment in his team's performance and suggesting the need for radical changes going forward.

"The consequence of the poor performance of my players today on the pitch," Bruzon stated bluntly at the beginning of the conference. "First of all, I take responsibility for what happened, but I hope that this is information for all of us that this is not the East Bengal we want to be."

How East Bengal Lost the Match?

Bruzon was candid in his assessment, acknowledging that Kerala outclassed East Bengal in every department. He said, "Today, Kerala were better in all moments, all sectors, in all the positions. Their players were more hungry. They were winning all the second balls. They were closing down our players very fast. We were just watching the action and watching the game unfold."

When asked about the specific areas of concern, Bruzon pointed to more than just tactics or individual errors. “It’s not just a matter of attitude. They were more decisive and more aggressive in key moments-second balls, short passes, pressing us with numbers. After conceding the first goal, our momentum dropped. And after the second, our heads were down. Kerala grew, and we shrank. Our team today was inferior,” he said.

The coach expressed frustration at his inability to find solutions during the match. "We were coming lower and lower, worse and worse. It's my frustration that I think that today there was no solution from my side to help the team."

How Was the Season in a Nutshell?

Reflecting on the season as a whole, Bruzon did not shy away from acknowledging the challenges since taking over the team mid-season. "The season started with losses, we got our first point in the seventh game. So, of course, coming from behind, it was tough for us.”

He did point to positive moments during December through February when the team began collecting points and building confidence, even competing well in the AFC Cup competition against Arkadag. However, today's performance indicated to him that these improvements were insufficient.

What Is Next for East Bengal?

"What it showed today is that it's not enough," Bruzon stated. “It has to be a turning point,” he emphasized. “We either change radically, or things will continue in this same pattern looking ahead,” the coach hinted at significant discussions with the club’s management to evaluate what must change for East Bengal to become competitive.

The coach emphasized that significant changes might be necessary if the team aims to compete for top positions in Indian competitions. "Probably we need radical changes, because if we are targeting finishing the top positions in all the competitions in India, clearly this is not enough," he remarked.

What Are the Challenges Bruzon Faced This Season?

When asked about specific areas for improvement, Bruzon offered a measured response. "I think that we have a good setup of Indian players. We just need to reinforce a couple of positions. But the rest of the things need to be observed."

He acknowledged the challenges he's faced in establishing the right mentality within the team. "For me, it has been also very difficult to put the mentality of this team, the quality, and to make a team that plays game after game, hungry and hungry, and charged for victories."

Bruzon concluded the press conference by expressing his disappointment with the team's inconsistency and how they ended the season.

"We could beat and compete with the strongest rivals of India. But the attitude of today and the performance of today tells me that this is the East Bengal that started the season and this is the worst way to end the season.”