Juan Ferrando: Target is to win the game within 90 minutes

The ATK Mohun Bagan head coach said that his team can be seen playing attacking football.

ATK Mohun Bagan host Odisha FC in the second Indian Super League (ISL 2022-23) eliminator clash on Saturday. Juan Ferrando's side have been dominant at the Salt Lake Stadium this season and aim to continue their splendid form with a decisive win to move onto the ISL playoffs.

Ferrando confident in retaining similar approach as league stages

Juan Ferrando insists that his side will not change their approach for this single-leg knockout tie as compared to their previous encounters. He said: “We have the same approach. Of course, this is a game within 90 minutes only but we continue with the plan we’ve had all this season. It’s not that it’s necessary to change nothing, but it's good not to change a lot of details. Odisha have controlled a lot of things this season, but for us it’s more or less the same plan.”

ATK Mohun Bagan want the game settled within 90 minutes

When asked if his side is prepared for the game to move into extra-time or even a penalty shootout if necessary, the Spaniard stated: “Obviously, for us it’s necessary to win because want to be in the next round. We’re not thinking about extra time or in a case of a penalty shootout. In that case, we have a plan for extra-time in our minds. But for us, it’s very important to win in 90 minutes, we’re not thinking about more than that. It’s possible, but our target is to get the best things in 90 minutes.”

Home field advantage and Odisha FC verdict

The ATKMB gaffer is also pleased that the game is being held at home, but doesn’t think that gives his side that big an advantage. He explained: “Of course, it’s better to play at home than away because we have our supporters here. But it's a knockout game, so we only have one chance to win. So, it’s necessary to put a lot of focus on this match. I hope in our difficult moments the supporters have more energy to give to the players.”

Ferrando also had praises for Odisha FC and expects a tough fight, as he said: “They’ve performed well this season. They have important players who are operating at a high level. But this is just one match. It’s necessary to focus on our team like it is for all games. We know they have quality players, but it’s not in our hands. In our hands is to prepare our team and our players. Odisha have had a good season, we have lots of respect for them, but it’s necessary to think about ourselves.”

Ferrando optimistic that ATKMB’s goal issues will be resolved soon

Despite seeing his side struggle with goals in the league stages, Juan Ferrando is confident that the goals will flow sooner rather than later. He explained: “We’ll repeat the same attacking plans. This team can create chances, which is the most important thing. The players try to do their best, sometimes we have success in the last part of attack. We need to have confidence. We have the knockout, the semi-finals and ISL final (potentially) and then the Super Cup ahead. We need to be confident in our actions and our plans. I hope we’re closer to the goals, step by step.”

Thoughts on Mauricio and ATKMB's injury issues

When questioned if he has any special plans to keep the ISL's joint top-scorer Diego Mauricio quiet, the tactician quipped: “We need to play like one team. We never have special plans about the opposition players, because the focus is on the entire 11 players. We need to work on our offensive and defensive details. But we’ll never focus on one player because that’s wasting energy. We need to think like a team.”

Ferrando also explained how the injury blows to players like Joni Kauko or Deepak Tangri have impacted his side’s progress this season, saying: “When we have some important injuries, but not about Kauko, we’ve also lost Tangri and a lot more players. It’s necessary to change details when you have so many injuries. For example, Puitea has a different style than Tangri or Lenny Rodrigues. When you move a few players, you need to change details in attack and defence.

“In this case, it’s difficult for the staff and the players when you change a lot of details from that which was there at the start of the pre-season. But we now have a big opportunity to reach the semi-finals. We must control our emotions, and have the motivation and ambition to go forward. It’s necessary to change some details, but this is a part of football. In this case, for me, I’m happy because the players have tried their best in difficult matches over the last three games,” he added.

Ferrando tips Odisha FC game to be similar to Kerala Blasters tie

Juan Ferrando is also hopeful that his side can implement their plan perfectly and compares the Odisha FC game with the recent win over Kerala Blasters. He said: “The plan remains the same. Of course, this is a knockout tie, but we’ve prepared details in attack and defence. It’s more difficult to play against Odisha than against Kerala Blasters or East Bengal in the last games. Against Kerala, it was a similar game to a knockout because getting three points got you to the playoffs.

He added, "In this case, we have 90 minutes in front to reach the semi-finals. But we won’t change a lot of things. I trust in this team. We need to change some details, but I hope we’ll be talking about the Hyderabad game tomorrow night."

ATKMB to play attacking football from the get-go

Finally, the ATK Mohun Bagan head coach vowed that his side can be expected to play attacking football from the get-go and not look to sneak past a win. He said: “Of course, it’s necessary to attack for us to reach the semi-finals. If we fall 2-0 down in the game, we’ll have different plans. But we’ll start playing attacking football because we want to win this match and reach the semi-finals.”