I think we were the better team – Petr Kratky after draw against Bengaluru FC

Mumbai City FC head coach Petr Kratky feels his team was the better team after sharing a point with Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League at the Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai on Wednesday. The Islanders were definitely the better team in the first half of the game but the Blues bounced back well in the next 45 minutes.

The home team took three shots on target and seven off target but could not convert their chances and go past Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. The hosts had 43.4% possession and Kratky reckons they need to improve after been winless so far in the season.

“So, for me, when I reflect on the whole game. I think we were the better team. We pushed hard in the first half. There are many positives from the game,” he said during the post-match press conference. 

“It’s a new team, a new season. This season will be totally different. We need to start somewhere. I can see the bright future. We need to keep working and become better everyday,” he added. 

On the other hand, Bengaluru FC have won three and drawn one out of their four matches. Furthermore, the Blues have maintained clean sheets in all of their four matches.

“Bengaluru FC is a very good team. They have four clean sheets for a reason,” he said. 

“(Playing long) was more of a strategy today. Bengaluru FC press very well. We want to play football, but we also want to win, so we have to make these adjustments sometimes. We too want to play from the back but we need to understand when to do it and against which opposition. So, it was our decision not to do it. The execution could have been better in some parts,” he added. 

The Czech-Australian coach is optimistic of positive results if the team improves its defense in the upcoming matches.

“I am very positive. We have a clean sheet. Obviously, we wanted to win but we had goalscoring opportunities. I am proud of the boys. Defensively, we are getting stronger. In the next match, we have to improve more,” he said. 

Mumbai City will take on FC Goa at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Goa on 19th October.