“BFC – KBFC Rivalry is Good for Indian Football” – Gerard Zaragoza

Bengaluru FC are all set to take on fierce rival Kerala Blasters FC in the quarter-final of the 133^rd IndianOil Durand Cup to book a berth in the semis. The Blues, who didn’t make it past the group stage in the last edition of the tournament, will look to restore their domination by fighting for the title this time around. 

Bengaluru FC qualified from Group B winning all three of their matches; 4-0 against Indian Navy FT, 3-0 against Inter Kashi FC and 2-3 against Mohammedan Sporting Club. Speaking about the Blues’ performance, head coach Gerard Zaragoza said, “In football, every game teaches you about things that require improvement, and it has been no different in the Durand Cup. I am happy about the way the players have performed and taken the instructions onto the field. Our opposition in the group stages were really good physical teams and it’shelped us understand where we are as a group, both in terms of fitness and overall gameplay. A lot of my notes to the team after the game have been about transitions and staying compact, and these are thethings we will continue to work on during the course of the season.”

The rivalry between the Blues and the Blasters have peaked after the ISL 2022-23 semi-final where Bengaluru FC came out victorious and the upcoming quarter final between two sides promises to be a mouthwatering fixture. Speaking about the upcoming clash, Zaragoza said, ”Everyone knows that Bengaluru and Kerala Blasters share a great rivalry, and that’s good for Indian football. As always, Blasters have assembled a squad with very talented players and their attack has been performing well in the Durand Cup. Going up against probably the most in-form side in the competition is something that presents a good challenge for us, and I’m sure we will need to be at our best to progress.

Having finished the ISL 2023-24 season at the 10^th position in the points table, Bengaluru FC made quite a few signings this summer to further strengthen their roster for the new season. 
“I’m really happy with the squad we have assembled. I had always mentioned that we need players who can step up to the occasion and show leadership qualities, and that’s exactly what we looked for and found in the players we have brought on board. They have bought into our philosophy and are working hard towards achieving all the goals that we set out for preseason,” Zaragoza said.

Bengaluru FC have been known for being a competitive side in all the competitions. Having won six trophies in their first six years since inception, the Blues didn’t get the taste of silverware in the last couple of seasons. It was during the 131^st Durand Cup, when Bengaluru FC last lifted a trophy. Speaking about the team’s intent in the upcoming season, Zaragoza said, “The intention of this football club, every season, has been to compete for trophies. Even when I was here previously as an Assistant Coach, the goals were the same and that desire to be the best in the League is still very much intact during my second stint. When I was asked to come back as Head Coach, my conversations with the club made it very clear that, though years have passed, the vision of this football club and the drive to win trophies is the same, and the targets for this season are no different.”

The Durand Cup now being the official kick-starter of the Indian Football season provides a platform for the clubs to compete against each other as well as against Armed Forces’ team from India and abroad and thus prepare for the long season ahead. Speaking about the role, the Durand Cup plays, Zaragoza said, ”It’s always good for teams to play competitive matches in the build up to the League campaign as it helps you assess where you stand both as a team and in terms of individual fitness. No matter how much we train, the real areas of improvement only show when you play competitive matches against good teams – and that is something the Durand Cup provides us. This is going to be one of the most challenging Indian Super League seasons, and the Durand Cup helps us prepare for that in a big way.”