Defender Anto throws light on Bengaluru FC's winning methods

 Rino Anto has been with Bengaluru FC ever since its inception. Proving to be a vital cog in the set up that has won plenty of laurels, the full-back believes that a professional approach to the game is what has helped the club achieve unprecedented success in a short time.

“This is a professional club. I have been at other clubs in the country. They are are great clubs, but the professionalism that we have here is at a different level,” said Rino who palyed a cruial role in the AFC Cup semis on Wednesday.

“We have a set pattern that we follow. A set training regime, then recovery sessions, time dedicated to fan interaction as so on. With a schedule in place and a system in place, it’s a smooth process that we have here,” he stated.

Bengaluru is one of the few clubs in India who have adopted technology with a view to improving performance. And Anto believes that such an approach has helped the players give their best not only in matches, but also during training sessions.

“When you talk about the training sessions, things are very different from what I have seen in clubs like Salgaocar or Mohun Bagan. The use of GPS tracker and the heart-rate monitors have come in very handy to help us realise our potential. Tracking the distance we cover helps us in knowing the extent to which we can push ourselves. And if on a given day the numbers are less, the player is asked for the reason and many time an injury is avoided,” he explained.

Crediting Ashley Westwood for his contribution to the success the club has had, Rino said the Englishman had played a huge role in turning the club into one of the giants of Indian football.  “He has had a big part. I came here in the first season. Right from the beginning, he took care of our fitness, diet and everything.

“Yes, he left after three years but the professional approach is still there. And that’s something that has helped us adapt to Roca’s style quickly.

“We know what we have to eat and what we have to do outside the field. That’s an important part of a footballer’s life because if you’re are not doing the right things outside the ground, you can’t be the best inside the ground,” he said.