FC Goa footballer Edu Bedia sings bubble blues

Indian Super League team, FC Goa`s captain Edu Bedia

Athletes across various sports have been subjected to a challenging life in a bio-bubble amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. For many, it has been an overbearing experience.

Indian Super League team, FC Goa's captain and former Barcelona ‘B' footballer, Edu Bedia, 31, is one of them. He bemoaned being stuck in a hotel for almost two months and said life can get difficult.

"The truth is that life inside a hotel without being able to leave, is very difficult," the Spaniard told mid-day.

When asked how he is keeping himself fresh between games, Bedia, who has played for La Liga clubs like Racing Santander (2008-12) and Real Zaragoza (2017), said: "Spending time with my family is the only option I have to refresh my mind."

The Bedia-led FC Goa are aiming to seal their place in the playoffs for the fourth consecutive ISL season and are placed third on the table (23 points from 16 matches) following their 3-3 draw with Mumbai City FC on Monday.

The attacking midfielder has been the creative force behind FC Goa's (24 goals in 16 matches) prolific scoring. Bedia has registered the most number of passes (1046) this season.

Since joining FC Goa in 2017, Bedia has won the Super Cup (2019) and the ISL League Winners Shield after the Gaurs topped the table in the 2019-20 season, which saw them qualify for the 2021 AFC Champions League.

He also finished runner-up with FC Goa in 2018-19 ISL final (lost 0-1 to Bengaluru FC) under Spanish coach Sergio Lobera.

Lobera was sacked midway through the last season and replaced by another Spaniard, Juan Ferrando. The team saw many top players leave ahead of the new season but Bedia insisted they have fared well despite undergoing so many changes.

"We have worked very hard throughout the year. It's not easy to overcome the kind of changes we have had in the squad and still be competing for top honours. We had a really short pre-season as well. Credit has to go to everyone involved here," said Bedia.

"Having players who understand how we want to play has been important. The youngsters have been brilliant with their attitude. We have been in tough situations during games and the team have done really well to get out of those," he added.

Bedia reckoned the team have been progressing well under the new coach. "We continue to have the same football philosophy as in previous years. That's why we are the team with the most possession in the league, but now we are a much more tactically well-placed team. Clearly, FC Goa is progressing," concluded Bedia.