ISL 2020-21: Antonio Lopez Habas stresses on balancing play for ATK Mohun Bagan against Chennaiyin FC
ATK Mohun Bagan is making its debut in the 2020-21 Indian Super League, while ATK was the defending champion, having won the title last season. ATKMB is currently placed second on the table, as it takes on sixth-placed and former champion, Chennaiyin FC, on Thursday.
FollowATK Mohun Bagan has a task at hand, as it takes on former champion, Chennaiyin FC in the Indian Super League 2020-21, at the Fatorda Stadium in Bengaluru, on Thursday. Although Chennaiyin has been not in the best of its form, currently placed sixth, it still presents a grave threat.
Meanwhile, ahead of the match, ATK Mohun Bagan head coach, Antonio Lopez Habas reckoned that the side was under no pressure. However, he did assert on the fact that the side needs to balance its attack and defence to find long-term success.
“No pressure for us. Because in the championship, you have good moments and not so good moments. Recently, we played against FC Goa and Mumbai City, two teams who are big favourites to win the league. We have to continue our good work, we are at the top of the table. We have more possibility to attack and that’s our goal for improving. For now, we want to prepare for the next match ahead,” he said during the pre-match press conference.
“The reason is the balance. Defensively, we’re more balanced. We need to find the balance between attack and defence. For me, it’s not good if we score 13 goals and concede 25. That’s no good for me. I think after the Mumbai game we had the least goals conceded in the league. For now, I’m only worried about the possibility to attack more. This is our aim,” he added.
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Meanwhile, he also warned that Chennaiyin is not a side to be taken lightly, going by the fact that it is a former two-time champion. “Chennaiyin are a good team. They have a strong squad also. It’ll be necessary to have a balanced team. It’s very possible that they can win the game due to the small details,” he considered.
ATKMB also seemed to be struggling with its passing in the last game against FC Goa. Speaking on the same, Habas opined, “We need to improve how we manage the first pass. But, we are second in the league. Everything shouldn’t be taken in a negative sense. I don’t understand why everything around us is so negative. Our aim is to be the best, to be first, but the opponents are playing well also.”
He concluded by speaking on the side’s chances for the playoffs, as he figured, “We have to continue our war. That mean’s getting three points or one point from every game. That is our idea. After that, we’ll think about the playoffs. For now, we have the second position and we need to continue to play, no more pressure should be dealt on the players.”
Watch the full press-conference by Habas here:
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