ISL Season 8: ATK Mohun Bagan missed a chance to reach the top four as they played out a 1-1 stalemate against Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League on Thursday night at the PJN Stadium in Fatorda. Follow all the ISL 2021-22 LIVE Updates only on InsideSport.IN
The Mariners started the game really strongly and took the lead through David Williams in the ninth minute. But a 24th-minute own goal from Pritam Kotal meant that spoils had to be shared between the two finalists from last season. However, the Green and Maroons dominated large portions of the game and squandered some unthinkable chances to bag all three points from this fixture.
FULL-TIME | #MCFCATKMB
A game with end-to-end action but rock solid defending from both sides ensured that the points are shared! 🤝#HeroISL #LetsFootball | @MumbaiCityFC @atkmohunbaganfc pic.twitter.com/KnkZZ06KvV
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) February 3, 2022
After the match head coach Juan Ferrando interacted with mead and shared his thoughts from the match. The Spanish tactician was disappointed with the way the Mariners missed their chances on the night and he feels that it is a problem for his team.
“Today, in my opinion, we had a lot of problems. You have chances to get three points and then, we don’t get three points. It is a problem. The own goal is okay but, I think we have a lot of chances to win the game,” Ferrando began the post-match press conference.
The ATK Mohun Bagan head coach highlighted how difficult it is for him and also for other teams to select a perfect lineup with so many players injured. However, he is happy that his team is showing the commitment required at this level to win matches.
At the moment, to be honest, it’s difficult to prepare the line-up, I think like all the teams. We have a lot of injured players and Liston Colaco plays for the first time after 15 days. It’s very difficult but when the team tries to play and press and they continue on this line, for me, I’m very happy but to be honest, it is a pleasure when the players, in difficult circumstances like all the clubs, try to work and it is necessary to support them,” the Spaniard opined.
The return of Sandesh Jhingan has been a talking point among Indian football fans. However, Juan Ferrando gives all the fans a reality check about the India international and his chances to play in the upcoming matches. Ferrando points out how Jhingan is not ready to start as he is in his pre-season and will get some gametime in future matches.
“The same for him and now it’s his pre-season for us. It is very important to not take a risk with new injuries. Now he is training and, of course, is not working 100% because we have no time to work with all the team. He’s in a squad because he’s working with a team. It’s like pre-season now, I hope to introduce him in some moments of the game, but the intensity is very high and it’s necessary to protect him,” Ferrando replied when quizzed about Jhingan’s status.
ATK Mohun Bagan will next face the league leaders Hyderabad FC and Ferrando assures the fans that he has some plans against the Nizams but remains tight lipped ahead of the game. “I have a plan of course but I cannot talk about it because it’s my plan and my intention is to try and prepare the plan for the next game,” concluded the ATK Mohun Bagan head coach.
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