Played our best against Real Madrid, trying to keep boys grounded: Bibiano Fernandes

Panaji: India’s under-17 football team is having a dream run in Spain, quite literally.
Some of the players rubbed their eyes in disbelief when they came face-to-face with their idol, Fernando Torres, the Spanish striker who at the peak of his powers was nothing short of sensational for clubs and country. He’s now coaching Atletico de Madrid juniors and spent some time with the India players during their exposure tour.
Then, another set of players had a dream-come-true moment, rubbing shoulders with the under-17 team of Real Madrid, the most decorated club in world football. They finished 3-3, thanks to a last-minute equaliser from Thanglalsoun Gangte in a game where the Spanish giants fielded two sets of players in either half.
The draw meant India have now defeated Atletico de Madrid U-17 twice (4-1 and 2-1), drew against Real Madrid, while their only loss in four games has been against UD Leganes from a higher age-group.
“When we played the first game (against Atletico de Madrid), and given the way it ended with that scoreline (4-1), there is belief within the team,” coach Bibiano Fernandes told TOI on Friday. “The players know they are good enough for this level. Real Madrid was the toughest game and the boys really lived up to expectations. These boys have their idols playing for Real Madrid (seniors), so I told them, ‘this is your chance to have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, make this chapter memorable’.”
In his pre-match team talk inside the dressing room, Bibiano told his young players to ensure they don’t leave the field with any regret. When Gangte scored that 90th minute equaliser, the team erupted in joy, knowing they had achieved what many thought impossible.
“I can now say that we drew against Real Madrid. This is a story that we can tell for the rest of our lives,” said Bibiano.
Despite the impressive results in Spain where the India U-17s are playing a series of friendlies as part of their preparation for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup in Thailand next month, Bibiano has asked his players to keep their feet firmly on the ground.
“Results like the draw against Real Madrid can be distracting, but we need to keep our feet firmly on the ground,” said Bibiano. “We played our best against Real Madrid, but we have achieved nothing. This is only the process and our main goal is the (U-17) Asian Cup. We cannot afford to relax. We have to improve with every game. I’ve told the boys that their attitude should always be of learning.”
When Bibiano last took India juniors to the Asian U-16 championship, he was 90 minutes away from qualification to the World Cup but lost the quarterfinal clash against powerhouse South Korea. That loss has made the former India midfielder wiser, showing him and the team what needs to be done at the highest level.
“We are looking to progress from a group that’s really tough. We know, as a team, we are doing well. We are trying to play the style the way we want to play against (group stage opponents) Japan, Vietnam and Uzbekistan. It is working for us and hopefully we will be at our best for the Asian championship,” said Bibiano.
Next week, Bibiano and his team will watch Diego Simeone – the best paid manager in the world – conduct a training session with Atletico de Madrid.
They’ve two more friendlies to play in Spain against Getafe CF and Atletico U-18s before they move to Germany for the last leg of their preparations.
Whatever happens in Germany, Bibiano won’t get carried away. After all, the games in Thailand are what matters the most.