ATK Mohun Bagan is off to a rocking start on its debut in the Indian Super League (ISL). It is currently placed second in the table, having won five games from seven, along with a draw and a loss each.
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It takes on fellow former champion and seventh-placed Chennaiyin FC, in its next encounter, on Tuesday. Meanwhile, ATK players are gearing up for this all-important clash, despite Chennaiyin’s shaky form in the season.
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Speaking ahead on the clash, ATK midfielder Edu García sounded confident on beating the side. “We are confident about defeating Chennaiyin. But, like Goa and Bengaluru, this team is also strong. The style of playing of the three teams are very different. But, the attitude of the three teams have always been the same. These teams fight till the last minute. Trying to win by scoring a goal. So, we have to be careful,” he said.
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“Our game is improving every day. I don’t want to compare what was the situation after seven matches on the way to become the champion last year with the present situation. Every season is different. For Corona, this time, the difference is more prominent,” he added.
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He also did not seem to be affected by his lack of goals, as he said, “I have no regrets about not being able to score more than one or two goals. The real goal is three points. We have to see if we can create goal opportunities. We have won many matches with one goal, in which there was a chance to win with more goals. However, it is a fact that scoring more goals gives an advantage in the league table.”
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Meanwhile, club forward, Manvir Singh was wary of Chennaiyin’s threat, as he said, “Chennai has proved to be a strong team in Saturday’s match as well. Scoring two goals means their scoring skills are good. David along with Roy Krishna backs in scoring goals. I’m getting goals too, trying to do more. I am not thinking about the hat-trick of victory. I’m just thinking about the Chennai match. Our coach’s philosophy is to go ahead match by match. However, if the continuity of victory can be maintained, the confidence of the team increases.”
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“The coach is using me as a supporting striker instead of a striker. I am enjoying this position very much. Along with the striker, two wings are also my favourite position. I have to score goal. I want goals in whatever position I play. After practising, I saw how the defence of Chennai is playing in the match against SC East Bengal on Saturday. I will play the way the coach tells me to play,” he added.
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Also, club defender, Prabir Das, came up with reasons on why ATK could beat Chennaiyin. “We will be a little ahead against Chennaiyin for two reasons. Our team’s game has improved a lot. We will win only if we can play like the previous two matches keeping the defence intact. Also, Chennai will play with us in three days and we will play after eight days. They will be tired and we have to take the opportunity.”
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“There is a lot of difference between the last year’s champion team with this team. We lost the opening match last year, despite the whole team was at the peak of its skill. And, this time, we have started playing our own game from match number six. We are confident we will win. But, the victory will not be so easy. Because we have to keep in mind that the team went ahead twice with the match against SC East Bengal,” he concluded.
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