ISL 2020-21: Here's what Antonio Lopez Habas said ahead of ATK Mohun Bagan's game against Chennaiyin FC

By Team Newsable | First Published Dec 29, 2020, 6:46 AM IST

ATK Mohun Bagan is currently placed second in the Indian Super League season table, having won five of the seven games it has played so far, besides losing and drawing one. Chennaiyin FC is placed seventh, having won just a couple from seven, with three draws and two loses.

In a battle of champions, ATK Mohun Bagan would take on Chennaiyin FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2020-21, at the GMC Stadium in Telangana, on Tuesday. While ATK is placed second in the table, Chennaiyin has struggled considerably this season and is seated at seventh.

Ahead of the game, ATK head coach, Antonio Lopez Habas sounded confident but rued that there is still room for improvement on a lot of fronts. "We are never complacent. We are improving, but we have a long way to go. We have a good squad, but we are looking forward to a difficult match against Chennaiyin," he said during the pre-match press conference.

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"Chennaiyin are fighting for the title. They were the finalists last season. They are playing well this season. I have seen their matches and they are playing at a very high level. We respect them very much. It is a new season with new players. I know they will create problems for us. Both teams will want to win. The side who will be more lethal will get the three points," he added.

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On being asked if he would apply similar tactics from its game against Bengaluru FC, he reckoned, "Bengaluru have one type of characteristic whereas Chennaiyin have another. You can prepare a match plan thinking about one thing and then the opponent can do another thing. The important thing is to have ideas very very clear and then, you can adapt to the opponent."

Here's Habas's full press conference video:

Meanwhile, ATK striker David Williams feels that sticking to the gameplan is the key to win against the southern champion. "We have to stick to our gameplan. They are a good team, but they also have their weaknesses. We have done our homework and each team has their ways of playing and are dangerous. Every striker wants to score. I would like to score again but if we keep winning and get the three points I am happy with it. We are well-rested. We watched Chennaiyin the other night and we feel fresh," he quoted.

Watch Williams' presser video here:

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