Need to focus 100% on Jamshedpur match & then we can think of derby, asserts Antonio Habas

The Spaniard went all praise for Jamshedpur FC manager Khalid Jamil.

Mohun Bagan aim to get back to winning ways in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 when they host a fiery Jamshedpur FC side at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata on Friday. The Mariners need a win to stay in the mix for the ISL shield battle heading into the crucial final stretch of the second leg.

The Mohun Bagan Super Giant head coach Antonio Lopez Habas spoke at the pre-match press conference ahead of the important ISL 2023-24 tie against Jamshedpur FC at home ground VYBK.

Habas on Jamshedpur FC threat

Antonio Habas asserted his team will ‘adapt’ to the situation against Jamshedpur after showing a bit of a cautious approach in the recent draw against Odisha FC.

He stated: “We adapt according to opponents, not per match. All opponents are different and now that’s the case for Jamshedpur too. I will have to talk to the players, we will train about the determinable aspects of the match. This match is totally different from the last one, the opponent is different and for that we need to change a few things.”

The Spaniard also had a lot of praise for Jamshedpur FC manager Khalid Jamil and their set-piece threat, saying: “Jamil is doing a good job. I remember him from a long time ago when he did a great job at NorhtEast. We absolutely respect the opponents. The set pieces of Jamshedpur are dangerous, but the best way not to concede from set pieces is not to commit fouls, corners or like that. We need to be intelligent for that, they have a quality set-piece taker in Jay, Manzarro and we need to be cautious.”

Is there a worry on chances being wasted?

When asked about his team not being able to convert their chances as clinically as fans would ideally want them to, Habas explained: “In football, its not directly proportionate that all chances will result in goals. But to score goals, you have to create chances. I don’t worry about the conversion, because we have a lot of chances to score goals. If we had no chances, we wouldn’t score.

“I’m not worried of this aspect because the team generates a lot of attacking situation that is good for the team. It’s not possible to win all matches 5-0 or 3-0, in the last part of the league, all scores end up with a minimal difference like 1-0 or like that. All the teams are pushing to get results now and its problematic to have big scores in matches now as all teams are trying to get closer to their objectives,” he added.

Mohun Bagan totally focused on Jamshedpur FC threat

Even though Mohun Bagan have the Kolkata Derby after the Jamshedpur FC game, Habas is fully focused on the upcoming task at hand. He said: “Maybe for the fans, it’s more important to win one match over the others. For us, the most important thing is to win against Jamshedpur and the derby after that. We need to focus 100% on Jamshedpur match and then we can think of the derby. My players have the highest mentality for the upcoming match and it’s very important for us. Maybe if we win, we could go to the top spot in the league. We need to win to improve the confidence levels of the players.”

When asked if he feels that Mohun Bagan must win this game to stay alive in the ISL shield race, Habas stated: “I don’t want to think about losing. I’m always thinking of winning. If you don’t win, you get more problems. But we’re continuing in the competition to be in the first place at the end of the league stages. I don’t want to think of other matches because I have no influence in other matches, that don’t depend on us. I have to focus in my team, in the matches we have in front of us.”

Habas pleased with fitter squad

Finally, the coach voiced his pleasure at having a fitter squad with fewer injuries available at his disposal heading into the final stretch of the season. He explained: “Obviously, we have a lot of possibilities of players which are best for the cause. Matches are different, one is different to another. Now you have to choose or change players because they’re better suited for the opponent ahead. But when you have to play three matches in a week, you have to analyze which players are in the best physical condition.

“At this time, we are at that. The secret in my team now is that we have 20 players who can play in the first XI. For me, that’s good news! On other occasions, I only had 11 ideal players for that and others to fill the bench. But now we have substitutes who can easily start matches and that’s very good for me as the coach,” he concluded with.

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