ISL: All eyes on ATK Mohun Bagan, acid test for NorthEast United

Goa, Dec 20 : The arclights will be on ATK Mohun Bagans dugout when the heavyweights of Indian football take on NorthEast United FC in the 2021-22 Hero Indian Super League at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Goa.ATK Mohun Bagan decided to part ways with head coach Antonio Lopez Habas on Saturday after a string of four matches without a win - their longest in ISL.

Bagan are placed seventh in the table with eight points from six games.Habas had won the ISL with the erstwhile ATK in 2014 and 2019-20 becoming the first manager to win the title twice.

Juan Ferrando is set to take Habas place at the green and maroon camp but it remains to be seen whether the highly-rated Spanish tactician is on the bench on Tuesday.Ferrando himself got off to the worst possible start with FC Goa, losing the first three games before back-to-back victories against SC East Bengal and Bengaluru FC steadied the Goa ship.

The Mariners will need to have their defensive concerns addressed.They have kept only one clean sheet this season.Its not just that they are conceding more goals, they are conceding more shots per match and shots on target per match in dangerous areas, inside the box.Interim Coach Manuel Cascallana said, "The players are the principal actors now that the coach is not here.The responsibility lies with them.

If you lose, you cannot blame the coach or tactics.The players need to step up and grab their moment.

The only objective now should be to win the three points." Assistant Coach Bastab Roy does not think the current managerial situation will impact the teams performance."The players are professionals.

The only aim will be play well and win the match," said Roy.For NorthEast, placed ninth in the table with seven points in their kitty from the same number of matches, a 2-0 win against SC East Bengal has been a shot in the arm.Without the services of defender Hernan Santana and striker Deshorn Brown, NEUFC played really well in the second half with Khassa Camara doing the bulk of the spadework.Kamara had 93 touches of the ball, the most he has managed in a single match in his Hero ISL career.

The 93 touches were also the most by a NEUFC player in a match this season.It was also the most touches by any player that evening.

"They (ATKMB) have a good team but we are thinking only about ourselves.We did some good work in our last game and we need to continue that.

The players are in a positive frame of mind and looking to continue the momentum.Only way is to work hard and get what we want from the game," said coach Khalid Jamil on the eve of the game.

Jamil also confirmed that Deshorn Brown and Hernan Santana are fit and will be considered for selection against Bagan.--inj

ISL: ATK Mohun Bagan is the acid test for NorthEast United.

Juan Ferrando will replace Habas at the green-and-maroon camp, but it is still to be determined if the Spanish tactician.Ferrando was a victim of a poor start to FC Goa.He lost the first three matches before succumbing against SC East Bengal FC and Bengaluru FCMariners defensive problems will have to be addressed.This season, they have only kept one clean sheet.They are not conceding more goals.

Manuel Cascallana, Interim Coach said that "the players are now the main actors" and added: "The coach isnt here.They are responsible for their actions.

You cannot fault the tactics or coach if you fail.Players must step up to seize the moment.

"Win the three points is our only goal." Bastab Roy, Assistant Coach does not believe that the current management situation will affect the teams performance.The players are professional.

Roy stated that the only goal is to win matches and play well.NorthEast was ninth on the table, with seven points from the same amount of matches.

A 2-0 victory against SC East Bengal, however, has been a big boost.NEUFC performed really well during the second period without the assistance of Deshorn Brown and defender Hernan Santana, with Khassa Camara taking care of most of the work.

Kamara managed 93 touch of the ball in Hero ISL matches, which is the highest number of touches hes ever had in one match.NEUFC players also had the highest number of touches in this match with 93.This was the highest number of touches that any player had made in a match this season.We are only thinking about ourselves, even though they (ATKMB), have a great team.

Our last game was a success and we must continue it.Players are positive and eager to build on the momentum.Khalid Jamil, coach of the team said that the only way to win is to be hardworking and achieve what the players want.

Jamil confirmed Deshorn Browns fitness and Hernan Santana will be selected against Bagan.#eyes #Mohun #Bagan #acid #NorthEast #Lal # Kitty # Lal #Goa .