ISL 2020-21: Antonio Lopez Habas terms Kolkata Derby as 'dangerous'

By Team Newsable | First Published Feb 19, 2021, 12:45 PM IST

ATK Mohun Bagan is currently placed on the top of the 2020-21 Indian Super League table and has sealed its playoffs berth. On Friday, it would engage itself in the famous Kolkata Derby against arch-rival SC East Bengal, with the latter already out of contention for the playoffs.

Indian Super League giant, ATK Mohun Bagan, is having a glorious season so far. While it is currently placed atop the 2020-21 table, it would look to consolidate its spot in the upcoming Kolkata Derby, on Friday, against arch-rival SC East Bengal.

SCEB is currently placed at the ninth spot and is out of the playoffs contention. Nonetheless, ATKMB boss Antonio Lopez Habas has said that his side cannot afford to take SCEB lightly at any cost, given the derby's gravity, which is generally 'dangerous'.

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"The derby is a different game. The attitude is at the highest level and it is different from other matches because you have to solve a situation in a different manner. It is a dangerous match for us. It is a different match now and the situation is different. Our target is the same, though, we have to get the three points. We want to win the game, but East Bengal are also a good team," he said during the pre-match press conference.

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"The idea is to both attack and defend. When we have the ball, we have to attack and when the opponent has the ball, we have to defend well. The transition is the most important thing in football. The most important thing in attack or defending is when a team recovers the ball," he added.

Meanwhile, club defender Sandesh Jhingan has praised SCEB's rise in form during this closing stage of the tournament and expects a tough contest. "Both the teams have improved and changed since they last played against each other. They have really good players. Even when the first time they played, they were a very good side. Bright (Enobakhare) is, of course, a very good player and he has scored some good goals," he said.

"They are a good side and so are we, so it will be a good contest. If you don't perform at your best, anyone can beat you. So, we have to play to our strength and try to minimise their strengths and try to be the better team on that day, and get the three points," he concluded.

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