Juan Ferrando: Plan is to win the last two matches

The Mariners are in a fight for the final playoffs spot with FC Goa.

ATK Mohun Bagan are in desperate need of a win as they host Kerala Blasters on Saturday. It’ll be their final home game of the Indian Super League (ISL 2022-23) league stages and one Juan Ferrando's side will hope to win, after being winless in their last three games.

Ferrando urges players to show character

Juan Ferrando has sent a rallying cry to his players, urging them to show more character for these remaining games. He said: “This team must show its character. It’s a strong team. Of course, we’re disappointed to not have had success in the last few results. But a difficult situation is the best moment to work together and decide on a plan as well as follow it.

"We must forget the extra things, and only think about the best for the club. The plan for all individual players and staff is to win the last two matches and then prepare for the playoffs.”

Injuries update and FC Goa game reaction

Giving an update on the effect of injuries in his squad and the situation of Hugo Bomous before the game, the Spaniard said: “The injuries are a part of football. It’s not a problem, we need to accept this and prepare the plans. It’s important that the medical staff and players look to improve themselves after the injuries. Every player wants to help the team, but it’s time to take control at times and not have too many injuries.

“We don’t know about Hugo. We’ll decide on the squad after training and about who is ready and is performing well to support the team. We must wait until the last moment for him. It’s not possible to take a decision before that. It’s better to push the players now than to wait,” he added.

With FC Goa losing to Chennaiyin FC, ATKMB need to win one more game to qualify for the playoffs. When questioned if that helps them be more relaxed against Kerala, Juan Ferrando said: “I don’t think that affects our mentality. The result from yesterday did not relate to us. I’m not thinking about Goa or what Odisha does in their game. Our focus is on ourselves, it’s in our hands to go to the third position. It’s important for everyone to reach the best place.

“In this case, I’m not thinking about yesterday’s results but to prepare for the Kerala Blasters game and who is in the best place to help the team. We must play good football at home and show ambition, good performance, character and intensity. This is our target to do the best in the last two games and get six points. In this club, it’s always necessary to keep a winning mentality,” he added.

Is Ferrando worried about potential future suspensions?

Pritam Kotal and Brendan Hamill are in threat of being suspended for the Kolkata Derby against East Bengal if they get booked against Kerala. Speaking on this threat, the Spaniard quipped: “For me, it’s most important is the next match against Kerala. After that, we can talk about suspensions, injuries and all those things. Because after that we’ll have five days to prepare for the derby.

“I’m never thinking too much about the future, the most important is the present and our present is Kerala. After that match, we’ll think about the derby, the situation for the squad, injuries, players who can help and so forth. The Kerala game is a final for us, we need to get the three points needed to get into the playoffs. We can’t lose energy thinking about suspensions or stuff like that before such an important game,” he also added.

Thoughts on Liston and Manvir’s form

When asked if the poor form of Liston Colaco and Manvir Singh is badly affecting ATK Mohun Bagan, the gaffer explained: “Manvir was out for two months with an injury and it’s not his problem, because his injury was difficult, but now he’s ready. I always say the same for Liston, he’s one player in our squad and we’re trying to support him and do the best for him. This is a situation of football. Sometimes you can be performing amazingly.

“You touch the ball two times and you score, but sometimes you have no success in scoring or with your crosses. It’s important to support him because he’s part of the squad. It’s important to support him with his emotions and psychology. In the end, if e has success then the team has success. But I’m not thinking about just Liston. We have 11 players on the field, so it’s necessary for us to work on the entire team. We can’t put too much responsibility on one player, that is a mistake for us,” he also said.

Ferrando defends his substitution in recent games

Juan Ferrando has been criticized by the Mariners’ fans for his questionable substitutions and for bringing on young players when the team is under pressure to score. Reflecting on the criticism, Ferrando stated: “The supporters don’t know what happens in certain situations. Their substitutions are timed like that for a reason. Sometimes the best substitutions must happen in the best moments. Sometimes it’s necessary to control the emotion of the team if they are in their best moment or if the performance is good or not, it’s necessary to change formations or some plans of the match. Of course, we are here to take decisions. Honestly, these decisions aren’t for the supporters –but for what the team needs. For me, it’s better to play more in attack at times. But for example, in the last match, we lost midfielders like Puitea and then you need to prepare substitutions in relation to injuries.

“It’s important to find players who are ready to help the team during the games. It depends on the quality, talent and also the ages of players. In the last 3-4 matches, our bench was filled with young developmental players. Of course, it’s necessary to control the details of not putting too much pressure on them, to help them and to help the team. You take the decisions, sometimes you have success and sometimes you don’t. Of course, I’m taking the best decisions about the team. We’ll continue with our plan and hope that in future the youngsters will be more ready for difficult moments,” he added.

Why does Petratos takes set-pieces for ATKMB?

When asked about the decision to allow Dimitri Petratos, a centre-forward, to take ATKMB’s set pieces – Juan Ferrando explained:  “We take these decisions because he can control a lot of things. In terms of set pieces, we’re the second team in terms of the most dangerous actions in set pieces. But in the last action (scoring) we have little success. We need to work with the players and I think we’re very close to changing our ways. It’s because we’re action that we are losing the last passes and key duels. It’s part of football to support the players and help them because they are very close to reaching an optimum performance for the team.”

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