More than four years after departing as the assistant manager during a triumphant ISL season, Gerard Zaragoza makes a comeback to Bengaluru FC, this time as the head coach, but under significantly different circumstances.
Bengaluru has gone through nine ISL games without a win. Out of their 10 league matches this season, they’ve secured victory in only five, with just one win overall. In those 10 games, they’ve managed to score 10 goals but conceded 18. The immediate challenge for Zaragoza appears substantial. Currently trailing five points behind the playoff positions, Bengaluru has 12 games left in the season.
Though not insurmountable, the task is undeniably challenging. Bengaluru has faced a similar situation before, notably last season. Despite finding themselves in a comparable predicament, they orchestrated a turnaround in the second half, ultimately finishing fourth in the ISL league standings. Subsequently, they reached the final, where they were defeated by ATK Mohun Bagan. However, the architect of that remarkable comeback is no longer in the picture. The question now arises: can this familiar face replicate the feat?
Managerial Credentials: The Journey So Far for Gerard Zaragoza
Gerard Zaragoza, the current head coach of Bengaluru FC, has a diverse managerial background, having held coaching positions in Greece and the UAE. Despite his extensive travels, his managerial record hasn’t been particularly noteworthy, with no instance of earning more than two points per game in any of his previous roles.
Notably, while coaching Emirati side Shabab Al-Ahli FC, Zaragoza led them to the knockout stages of the AFC Champions League in the 2019-20 season. Unfortunately, they were defeated by Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli in that campaign.
It’s essential to highlight that Zaragoza’s experience as a head coach at the senior level is relatively limited, comprising only 31 matches. This lack of experience could pose a challenge as he endeavors to navigate Bengaluru FC through their current struggles. However, his familiarity with the surroundings and the league might serve as a balancing factor. Carles Cuadrat, the former Bengaluru FC coach, acknowledged the significance of Zaragoza’s role in the team’s ISL victory in 2019, underscoring the potential value he brings to the current situation.
Addressing Immediate Challenges: The Defensive Conundrum
Gerard Zaragoza’s first priority should be addressing the defensive vulnerabilities of Bengaluru FC.
Statistically, Bengaluru tops the charts for conceding the highest number of shots on target per game this season. Additionally, they lag behind in making tackles, making them too easy to play through. Despite Gurpreet Singh Sandhu leading the ISL in saves, the defense has left him exposed far too often.
Vamos, Jefe! 🇪🇸
— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) December 14, 2023
Bengaluru FC have appointed Spanish tactician Gerard Zaragoza, part of the Blues' ISL-winning squad, as Head Coach on a deal that runs through till the end of the 2024-25 campaign. ✍️#WelcomeGerard #WeAreBFC #Santhoshakke 🔵 pic.twitter.com/DJrIZAta7U
Zaragoza’s coaching philosophy, as highlighted in a 2019 interview with Sportskeeda, emphasizes a desire to control everything on the pitch, especially when the team is out of possession. This approach was evident in the 2018-2019 season when Bengaluru conceded only 24 goals in 21 games. Notably, five of those goals came in a game where they rested most of their first team. Against the top teams that season—FC Goa, Mumbai City FC, and NorthEast United—they conceded just 8 goals across 9 matches.
Certainly, the defensive contrast between the current season and the successful 2018-2019 campaign is stark, with Bengaluru conceding 18 goals in just 10 games as opposed to the 24 goals in 21 games in the earlier season.
Despite the personnel changes, the current defensive lineup boasts two reliable center-backs in Aleksandar Jovanovic and Slavko Damjanovic. Building on this foundation is crucial for Zaragoza. One potential strategy to reinforce the defensive structure could involve reinstating the midfield combination of Rohit Kumar and Suresh Singh Wangjam. This duo proved effective towards the end of the previous season, providing a solid shield in front of the defense.
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Attacking Woes: Unlocking the Offensive Potential
Addressing Bengaluru FC’s offensive struggles is equally crucial, especially given their defensive concerns. While only Chennaiyin FC has conceded as many goals as Bengaluru this season, the worry is that the team has not been prolific enough in front of goal, scoring only 10 in 10 matches.
During Zaragoza’s previous tenure, Udanta Singh flourished into one of the best wingers in the ISL, contributing five goals and three assists. There seems to be a correlation between Udanta’s decline post-Zaragoza’s departure, and while it might be coincidental, it suggests a potential avenue for improvement, particularly with a promising player like Rohit Danu in the squad.
In Zaragoza’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, the positioning of key players becomes vital. With Curtis Main and Sunil Chhetri thriving on crosses from the flanks, the role of the right winger, likely Rohit Danu, becomes pivotal as the primary supply line into the box. Although Danu hasn’t had many opportunities to showcase his talent, he did provide the assist for Bengaluru’s only win this season.
Welcome back to India 🇮🇳 🙏, @gerardzaragoza
— Carles Cuadrat (@CarlesCuadrat) December 14, 2023
Indian football @IndSuperLeague will undoubtedly benefit from the return of a professional with winning experience 💫⭐️and work discipline like you are 💪⚽️
Enjoy the return, company! pic.twitter.com/eGMmCD1HiM
While it might be an early assessment, there’s a possibility that Rohit Danu could emerge as a crucial figure in turning around Bengaluru FC’s season under Zaragoza, providing the spark needed in the attacking third.
Building Confidence: The Intangibles
The intangibles indeed play a crucial role in Zaragoza’s immediate challenges at Bengaluru FC. Restoring confidence within the team is paramount, as they currently appear to be lacking belief. Addressing the void in vocal leadership on the pitch, as highlighted by Simon Grayson, adds another layer to the challenge.
Zaragoza faces a different linguistic landscape compared to his previous stint at Bengaluru, where several Spanish speakers were part of the foreign contingent. With just one Spanish speaker in the current squad, effective communication becomes crucial for instilling the necessary confidence and direction.
The focus on the basics, as emphasized by Grayson—such as accurate passing, tracking runners, well-timed tackles, and a fighting spirit for the badge—will be foundational for Zaragoza’s approach. Bengaluru FC, historically successful, now grapples with a perceived decline, and Zaragoza’s task is to arrest this downturn.
The mid-season timing of Zaragoza’s appointment adds complexity to the situation, but it also presents an opportunity for him to showcase his managerial prowess in finding solutions and revitalizing the team’s spirit. The challenge lies in not just tactical adjustments but in rekindling the winning mentality and standards that the club and its supporters expect.
