Bengaluru FC continued their winning run as they pulled off a 1-0 win over Mumbai City FC in the first leg of the Indian Super League semifinals. Despite looking second best and not enjoying that much possession, Bengaluru FC found the solitary goal in the game when super sub Sunil Chhetri scored the match winning goal.

However Bengaluru FC head coach Simon Grayson feels they have achieved nothing as of now and expects a very tough game in the second leg. This win marks Bengaluru FC’s consecutive 10th win this season. They will surely have a psychological edge over the Islanders when they meet again in the second leg at the Kanteerava Stadium.

Des Buckingham’s men have not lost a game since their 5-2 win over FC Goa where they won the ISL Shield. Since then they have suffered defeats and their winning momentum that they enjoyed throughout the league phase is now over.

Analysing the game, Grayson lauded Mumbai City for their attacking approach but was also happy with the way his players defended in the first 20 minutes and then took the attack back to the opposition.

“I think you got to give Mumbai City FC the credit because we knew that they would come out in the first 10, 15 and 20 minutes. We had to make sure that we defended well and make sure that when you’re defending, defend well with passion and desire and when you get the ball, you have to keep it and be a little bit more calm and relaxed. We gave away the possession too easily in the first half. It allowed Mumbai City FC to attack more than we wanted,” Grayson stated at the post match press conference.

Grayson revealed that the message at halftime was to defend better and work as a team. He also advised them to hold the ball better and in doing all of that, the Blues finally found the goal that they were searching for from the start of the game.

“So that was the message at half time. Keep defending as individuals and work as a team. When we get the ball back, make sure that we keep it better and we asked more questions and we’ve got the goal and we looked threatening after the goal, certainly where we could have got the second or potentially a third. It’s a good start for us having the 1-0 lead, but we haven’t achieved anything yet,” he revealed.

Chhetri has not had his best season under Grayson but he has now scored two crucial goals in the playoffs to put Bengaluru FC in an advantageous position heading into the second leg. Grayson reveals that Chhetri’s work ethic makes him difficult to bench. But once again he proved that bringing him on later worked like a masterstroke.

“Chhetri doesn’t need too many messages on how to play, because he has played for many, many years and he’s been very hungry and very good over the last few weeks, obviously he has been training really well and I contemplate starting him because of how he’s played (recently) and he knows what 75 minutes in the playoffs looks like, because he’s played so many games,” he concluded.

Bengaluru FC needs to avoid defeat against Mumbai City FC in the second leg to make their way through to the finals. They are in red hot form and considering they will play at home now, things really look very bright for Grayson and his men.