After being handed a 3-0 defeat on the opening day, the English manager wasted no time in pointing the reason for their loss...
Atletico de Kolkata triumphed 3-0 over a hapless Mumbai City FC team that seemed to lack rhythm.
When asked where his team lost the game, manager Peter Reid explained that the opposition were the superior side as they could pass the ball better than his own wards.
"The better team won. They passed it better. They crossed it better. It's not pleasing but those are the facts," he mentioned.
The away side had begun the second half with far greater intensity after trailing by a solitary goal in the first half. The Englishman said that his half time message was simply to pass the ball better. He also accepted that a few changes and some tactical alterations were responsible for this.
"Basically pass the ball better was my message. You cannot win the game if you cannot pass the ball. That was my message at half time and we saw an increase in intensity in the second half. But then the second goal came which even though was a fantastic goal came out of a mistake from my boys. I made some changes and tactical alterations which seemed to have worked but that goal spoiled it all."
On being asked why he did not start with former Bolton player, Andre Moritz, the Evertonian legend explained saying, "In hindsight I would have started with Moritz but he had a bit of jet lag and that's why he didn't play."
Reid was quick to praise the opposition's Luis Garcia and the physical presence of Fikru Tefera upfront who gave Mumbai's defense all sorts of problems.
"I really think the tall fit lad (Fikru Tefera) who played upfront for Atletico de Kolkata gave us a lot of problems. Also Luis Garcia was brilliant as he made those mazy runs," he observed.
He picked out goalkeeper Subrata Paul for having had a great game as he made a couple of stunning reflex saves. He also praised Lalrindika Ralte for his energy and dynamism in the attack.
"From my team, Ralte played really well and also Paul in goal who pulled off a couple of great saves," he mentioned.
Syed Rahim Nabi had suffered an injury in the first half which forced Reid to bring him off immediately. Reid said that they will soon get a report on the status of his injury.
"We have to see the X rays and then take a decision how serious it is in the coming hours and days."
Reid offered no excuses when asked whether he thought the home side had an advantage after having a longer time to practice on the artificial turf. He also said that Nicolas Anelka was not played because they did not want to risk alientaing FIFA.
"I will not offer any excuses. Both of us played on the same turf. As for Anelka, It was not getting FIFA's permission. How could a club play Anelka after that? If you are telling me Nicolas Anelka was available to play, obviously I would play him."
Reid concluded by stating that they would need to improve and the marquee players coming back would only help their team.
Atletico de Kolkata triumphed 3-0 over a hapless Mumbai City FC team that seemed to lack rhythm.
When asked where his team lost the game, manager Peter Reid explained that the opposition were the superior side as they could pass the ball better than his own wards.
"The better team won. They passed it better. They crossed it better. It's not pleasing but those are the facts," he mentioned.
The away side had begun the second half with far greater intensity after trailing by a solitary goal in the first half. The Englishman said that his half time message was simply to pass the ball better. He also accepted that a few changes and some tactical alterations were responsible for this.
"Basically pass the ball better was my message. You cannot win the game if you cannot pass the ball. That was my message at half time and we saw an increase in intensity in the second half. But then the second goal came which even though was a fantastic goal came out of a mistake from my boys. I made some changes and tactical alterations which seemed to have worked but that goal spoiled it all."
On being asked why he did not start with former Bolton player, Andre Moritz, the Evertonian legend explained saying, "In hindsight I would have started with Moritz but he had a bit of jet lag and that's why he didn't play."
Reid was quick to praise the opposition's Luis Garcia and the physical presence of Fikru Tefera upfront who gave Mumbai's defense all sorts of problems.
"I really think the tall fit lad (Fikru Tefera) who played upfront for Atletico de Kolkata gave us a lot of problems. Also Luis Garcia was brilliant as he made those mazy runs," he observed.
He picked out goalkeeper Subrata Paul for having had a great game as he made a couple of stunning reflex saves. He also praised Lalrindika Ralte for his energy and dynamism in the attack.
"From my team, Ralte played really well and also Paul in goal who pulled off a couple of great saves," he mentioned.
Syed Rahim Nabi had suffered an injury in the first half which forced Reid to bring him off immediately. Reid said that they will soon get a report on the status of his injury.
"We have to see the X rays and then take a decision how serious it is in the coming hours and days."
Reid offered no excuses when asked whether he thought the home side had an advantage after having a longer time to practice on the artificial turf. He also said that Nicolas Anelka was not played because they did not want to risk alientaing FIFA.
"I will not offer any excuses. Both of us played on the same turf. As for Anelka, It was not getting FIFA's permission. How could a club play Anelka after that? If you are telling me Nicolas Anelka was available to play, obviously I would play him."
Reid concluded by stating that they would need to improve and the marquee players coming back would only help their team.
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