Queens Park Rangers’ manager, Marti Cifuentes, addressed the need for his team to exhibit more “personality” following their disappointing FA Cup defeat against Bournemouth. Despite taking a surprising two-goal lead in the first half with Sinclair Armstrong and Lyndon Dykes finding the net, Cherries orchestrated a comeback with goals from Marcus Tavernier, Kieffer Moore, and Justin Kluivert, securing their place in the fourth round.
Reflecting on the cup exit, Cifuentes expressed the team’s initial high-level performance and competitiveness in the first half, creating chances and acknowledging the players’ commendable efforts. He emphasized the importance of maintaining consistency, stating that the team can compete at a high level against strong opponents when performing at their best. However, he acknowledged the challenges when the team is not in optimal form, underscoring the necessity for the squad to display resilience and maintain their approach to games.
Cifuentes addressed the vulnerability to set pieces, a recurring issue for QPR. He expressed disappointment at conceding set pieces once again and highlighted the need for improvement. Cifuentes mentioned his concern about the team’s set-piece record, revealing that since his arrival, they have conceded 15 goals, with 10 of them originating from set-pieces. He stressed that the problem extends beyond individual players, emphasizing the collective responsibility of the team to address the issue and find a balance.
Acknowledging goalkeeper Asmir Begovic’s experience and leadership qualities, Cifuentes refrained from singling out individuals, emphasizing that defensive set-pieces are a team task. He recognized the mental aspect of the challenge and urged the team to focus on improvement. Despite the setback, Cifuentes expressed determination to rectify the issues and highlighted the importance of resilience and a unified effort to overcome the defensive vulnerabilities observed in set-piece situations.
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