Garcia living in the present

BFC's Spanish striker excited about ISL journey

It was minutes past the hour mark and many who had flocked the Sree Kanteerava stadium on Sunday to see Bengaluru FC make their debut in the Indian Super League (ISL) against Mumbai City FC were beginning to wear a frustrated look.

In a game where the city side dominated from the first whistle, goals were hard to come by. While credit should be given to the Mumbai defence that threw bodies in line to keep Bengaluru at bay, the home team was largely responsible for not being clinical in the final third.  

Even from set-pieces  - nine corners, and a free-kick  - Bengaluru were finding it hard to break Mumbai's resilience. It was then that Bengaluru won another corner and following that, Edu Garcia scored the opener in a flash. As the Kanteerava erupted in celebration, Bengaluru's assistant coach Carles Cuadret jumped in joy like a toddler. And for a very good reason. "Carles is the set-piece boss here, and I think he is an emotional man. That was one of those moments when you let go," says Garcia the scorer of Bengaluru's first-ever goal in the ISL.

"They (head coach Albert Roca and Cuadret)  give special emphasis on set-pieces and that's one reason you see us trying various things from dead ball situations. He makes sure that we work on our set-pieces in the training too."

Explaining what transpired on the pitch on Sunday, he said: "In the first half, he  asked me to take short corners because he noticed that they had tall defenders and they could command the box. But I refused to listen.

"In the second, he continued telling me the same and I gave it a chance. I saw there was no one  (from the Mumbai team) outside the penalty area, and Udanta was close by. So I played him, and he gave it back to me. I think I had enough time to take a shot at the goal. I am happy it went in."

That goal also meant Garcia began his Bengaluru career with a goal on debut,  something that still gives him goosebumps. "Incredible," says the man who joined Bengaluru from Real Zaragoza.  "My first match in India, for the club and I get a goal. It was a good way to start the season. I had goosebumps."  

For someone who grew up dreaming of plying his trade in the La Liga or the Segunda divisions, A detour to India could be nothing than a step down in Garcia's career. But the 27-year-old isn't bothered about it. "I don't think about it. I like to live in the moment and it's very good," he says.

"It's a good opportunity for me to explore something new. I don't think about the future. For me, it's the present that matters. Let's be in the moment, enjoy it and see what the future has in store. I am focused on Bengaluru FC and this season."  

And with his wife joining him on his Indian expedition, life seems to be easy for the Spaniard.