ISL 2020-21: Marcelinho Pereira believes ATK Mohun Bagan is already through to playoffs
By Team Newsable | First Published Feb 4, 2021, 6:37 PM ISTATK Mohun Bagan is currently placed second in the 2020-21 Indian Super League table. The side is making its debut in the tournament and is off to a ringing start. On Saturday, the side takes on bottom-placed Odisha FC as a win is likely to bring ATKMB closer to the playoffs.
As ATK Mohun Bagan continues its enchanting season in the Indian Super League 2020-21, it would next take on bottom-placed Odisha FC, at the GMC Stadium in goa, on Saturday. While ATKMB is placed second in the table, a win against Odisha would bring it a step closer to playoffs qualification.
ATKMB is coming off a winning performance against Kerala Blasters FC, where it won the tie, despite being 0-2 down. As for Odisha, it is on a five-game winless run, while its chances of playoffs qualification are most certainly over. Meanwhile, ATKMB striker, Marcelinho Pereira seems confident that his side has more or less booked its place in the playoffs.
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“We believe that we have already reached the playoff. Now, our goal is to become the champion. I will play in the rest of the matches with that goal. And, I have been dreaming of it, ever since I joined ATK Mohun Bagan, that we will be the champion again,” he told ATKMB, ahead of Odisha’s clash.
He also asserted that the side would look to exploit Odisha’s poor run and the pressure of being table bottomers. “Orissa is at the bottom of the league table. They have no chance to go to the playoff. This is their great advantage. There is nothing to lose, so they will play being completely stress-free. Everyone will try their best to prove themselves in this match. All matches are difficult in ISL. So, there is no reason to underestimate Orissa,” he reckoned.
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Pereira also scored a goal in the side’s previous game against Kerala, on which he recalled, “Many called my goal against Kerala a turning point in the match. It feels good to be in a green-maroon jersey and score in the first match; my self-confidence has also increased. It is true that this goal paved the way for winning that match. But, all the credit goes to the coach. It was possible due to the change in his strategy after the break. We desperately jumped for the goal. That is why we have won under pressure.”
Meanwhile, club defender, Pritam Kotal asserted that despite Odisha being at the bottom, it could still spring up a surprise, while ATKMB would take it seriously to edge a step closer to playoffs. “Orissa is at the bottom of the league table. There is no reason to think that they will not be able to defeat us. But, we are fighting to get to the top of the league. The situation is that in order to reach the goal, we have to win all the matches. I don’t want to think about Mumbai and it being at the top of the league,” he affirmed.
Speaking on ATKMB’s recent gameplay, he was wary of the side failing to hit its shots on target regularly. “In the last two matches, we could not keep our target intact. There must have been some faults. We are trying to correct that in practice. However, I do not agree that our defence is playing badly. Our goal is not only to keep the goal intact against Orissa but also to maintain the winning streak,” he concluded.
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