I’m happy that the team showed character, says Juan Ferrando after winning the Durand Cup

Mohun Bagan Super Giant head coach Juan Ferrando was delighted after they defeated arch-rivals East Bengal FC to win the Durand Cup on Sunday. Mohun Bagan won by 1-0 after Dimitri Petratos scored a brilliant goal to help his club clinch their 17th Durand Cup title.

In fact, the Australian found the back of the net in the 71st minute to give a decisive lead to his team. But Mohun Bagan was reduced to 10-man after Anirudh Thapa was sent off in the 62nd minute by the referee.

After the big win to commence the season in style, the Spaniard Juan Ferrando said, “Look, I’ll be honest. Before our Durand Cup games, I’ve said that this is still pre-season. We need to improve in transitions and in our position in the attacks.

“But I’m happy that the team showed character and that everyone wanted to help the team. This is the basic things for us to start clicking from pre-season. A happy-dressing groom is much better than working tactically for 1,000 hours. I didn’t think this to be a big final or this being the best derby win, we have to win two derbies more in the ISL this season,” he added.

The gaffer also revealed why Jason Cummings didn’t find himself in the starting XI and was brought on in the second half.

“It was a tactical decision not to start him. Jason and Dimi had played 80-90 minutes two days ago, so we wanted to play one player. That is why Jason came in the second half and our plan was to use Manvir and Jason in the second half, due to our tactical plan. But we had to change the plan because of the red card, we had to prepare in a different way. But I’m happy because he fought a lot and did his best until the last minute.”

Speaking on Anirudh Thapa’s red card, the Spaniard said that the experienced player was playing well but needs to improve his build-up play.

“I don’t know what to talk about the referee’s decision to send him off, he was looking well.. I think he was very tired so it’s difficult to control some actions. This is the decision of the referees. In this case, I was thinking about Glan (Martins) or Abhishek (Suryavanshi) because they are in the team to compete. I think Thapa performed well in the AFC Cup and this tournament. He needs to improve in the build-up play and with processing the ball forward in transitions, but I’m so happy with his job so far.”