FC Pune City moved level on points with leaders FC Goa after a gritty defensive performance earned them a crucial point in Mumbai. David Platt’s men had to be content with few chances on the break as they thwarted Mumbai City FC’s numerous attempts to take all three points from the game.
FC Pune City Head Coach David Platt wasn’t too pleased with the result but considered it as a step in the right direction as a crucial point in the season. “We obviously wanted to win the game, but in a league like this and at such a stage in the season, you cannot underestimate a point gained away from home. The point keeps you moving and keeps your momentum going. So I see it as a step closer to our target,” said the former Manchester City assistant coach.
Mumbai City FC had two good chances to snatch the lead in the game, but David Platt was pleased with the fact that his side were always in control of their own performance, which wasn’t the case in FC Pune City’s recent games.
He said: “The fact which pleased me the most is that we were in control of our own performances. We weren’t doing so in our last few games and that resulted in us letting in too many goals. I’m glad that wasn’t the case today.”
The Englishman had few complaints about his players, who he felt put in an excellent shift and delivered a truly united performance. “Honestly, I am delighted with everything today. The players were exceptional and gave in a real united performance. We were in control of ourselves and if we can continue to do so in the games to come, we will do ourselves a world of good,” Platt expressed.
David Platt dismissed any suggestions that he went into the game with a defensive mindset and felt the game was such that they had to defend resolutely.
“We didn’t set up solely to defend. We wanted to control the game and be more compact than the previous games. But we did talk about taking the game to the opposition before the game.
“But the game was very tight and could have gone either way. There were times when we had to defend as they had more of the ball, but we didn’t go in with a defensive mindset,” revealed the Englishman.