'EB fighting for sixth place, we for top spot' - Antonio Habas highlights only difference between two teams ahead of Kolkata derby

Antonio Habas also revealed Mohun Bagan’s secret to success.

Mohun Bagan will aim to earn bragging rights for their faithful when they face East Bengal in the fifth Kolkata Derby of the 2023/24 season in a blockbuster Sunday night clash on March 10. A win could propel the Mariners to the top of the Indian Super League (ISL) table and strengthen their chances of winning the title.

Habas not taking East Bengal lightly

Antonio Habas is happy with his team’s unbeaten run under him, but has warned against any speculation over the possibility of being overconfident. Prior to the match, he said at the press conference: “We are not overconfident. Overconfidence kills you in these situations. Competition is very difficult, be it the derby or another game. This is another game for us to compete for three points and reach the first position. I know that the derby has a good passion in Kolkata, but we are focused on securing our target of winning the game.”

When asked if he feels that this is the best time to face East Bengal, who are not in good form, the Spaniard answered: “What is the moment now? The derby makes things different. For me, the best moment for winning is tomorrow. May be if we had to play after 20 days then also I would’ve said the same. You need to live in the present, the match is tomorrow and we can do something more. This isn’t a special situation for me, it’s not only to work for the three points. I tried that the players treat it as any other game, because all games are very difficult and the fight for the pole position is very tough too.

“I didn’t know about my unbeaten record (in Kolkata derbies). We are not overconfident. Every match is absolutely different, there are no same players, proposals or situations. East Bengal are fighting to be in the sixth place and we’re fighting for the first position. That is the difference. Apart from that, it’s the same component for both to get the win,” he added.

Praise for the team’s commitment and derby kick-off tme

Habas is also pleased with how committed his players, including his strikers, are to win games. He stated: “There is something which is very important, which is the commitment. The strikers in my team have commitment. That is important. An important factor is choosing the target for the team. A long time ago, we thought of the possibility to the club and this is our possibility – to fight for the title.”

The Spanish mentor is also not bothered with the 8:30 PM kick-off for the derby. He said: “We need support from the supporters. Football without fans is not football. 8:30 is the same for us, it’s like the European hour for playing. We are professionals, we have to play as per the rules and the time of the day doesn’t matter.”

What is the secret behind Mohun Bagan’s success under Habas?

When questioned about what has been the secret of his success at Mohun Bagan so far, Antonio Habas explained: “I think the reason for the success is the commitment of the team and the desire to reach the targets. We have a good squad and the possibility to compile two different first XI’s with the potential to win. The players have to be committed. The first job when a coach replaces another coach is to clean the brain because I have lived through this situation at another club. It’s not possible to be successful if you don’t work hard, hard work is another secret. That is important to build a professional team.”

Reason for playing Abhishek Suryavanshi over Anirudh Thapa

Finally, Antonio Habas was asked why he has shown a preference to play Abhishek Suryavanshi over Anirudh Thapa in recent matches. He answered: “It’s no different for me to distinguish between one player from another one. I have to look into using the feel or potential stage of one player to another player to determine the best during a part of the season.

“Thapa is working hard in the last week to play at any moment. We have 21-22 players with the possibility to play with one another. Evidently, we have a standard first XI every day and then we have to make changes depending on the opponent or form of the players. For me, there’s no distinction between one player and another player,” he concluded.

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