Will try to beat ATK Mohun Bagan, vows BFC boss Carles Cuadrat

The Spaniard also opined that the Mariners pose a significant physical challenge.

Despite a slow start in the Indian Super League 2020-21 season, Bengaluru FC have managed to stay undefeated in the league so far. However, they face one of the title contenders ATK Mohun Bagan on Monday, which might turn out to be one of the highlights of the season for them. Ahead of the game, Bengaluru FC boss Carles Cuadrat spoke in the pre-match press conference.

The Spaniard revealed that the atmosphere in the dressing room is positive ahead of the match and they are ready to face the Mariners on Monday.

On facing ATK Mohun Bagan

“There is a good mood in the dressing room. I am very happy with the dynamic in the squad and we are ready for the next game.”

While the Blues have maintained an undefeated streak in the new season, they have won one less match than the Mariners and sit in the third position in the table, just behind ATK Mohun Bagan. Speaking about the Kolkata giants, Carles Cuadrat quipped, “ATK Mohun Bagan pose a very physical challenge, they have a team with very tough players. We know about them; big bodies and playing with a high tempo. We saw in their game against FC Goa how their players play as a compact unit and tried to take advantage of counterattacks and the open spaces.”

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Changed Squad?

The Spanish tactician also hinted at a few changes against ATK Mohun Bagan in the upcoming game.

“We have had five games in about 21 days so we also have to get some fresh legs on the pitch. The team is well but we have to do some rotation. We will try to use players who have played fewer minutes in the season so far. We also have to understand that it has been tough for the players since the first game of the season.”

Opinion On ATK Mohun Bagan

The 52-year-old also shared his opinion of the current ATK Mohun Bagan team and talked about the prospect of facing them on Monday.

“Every team poses a different challenge in the league. All teams have their own style. We have to prepare for every game differently,” he said.

“ATK was the champion for a reason. They know how to defend and how to be dangerous in their attacks. That's what we have to try and avoid tomorrow. We have to create enough chances to score because they are very good defensively, they have conceded the fewest goals so far. They employ a very good defensive structure and we will try to beat them,” he added.

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“Matches between BFC and ATK or Mohun Bagan have always great. Different clubs with very good squads and supporters. They have been the kind of games that are very good for Indian football,” Carles Cuadrat went on saying.

Bengaluru FC, who originally migrated to the Indian Super League - similar to that of Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, have earlier faced Mohun Bagan in different competitions over the years. However, this will be the first time the Blues will be up against ATK Mohun Bagan in their history.

Prospect Of Facing Mohun Bagan Again

“It is my fifth year in India now, we have played against Mohun Bagan in the I-League, the Federation Cup, Super cup and now as ATK Mohun Bagan in the ISL. Normally the games have been decided with little margins. It was the same last season. They got a crucial penalty in the semifinal which changed the balance of the tie,” he reiterated.

On Ashique Kuruniyan

The Blues will be missing out on Ashique Kuruniyan, who received a critical injury against Odisha FC and was operated on Sunday for the same for an extended period. Carles Cuadrat feels that the 23-year-old was contributing hugely for his team and his squad will miss him.

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“Ashique Kuruniyan was contributing a lot to our game. If you check the statistics of this season, he has been fouled 20 times in six games. No other player in our team got fouled more. That is because of the runs he makes from the back; he poses a threat to the other team with his pace. He was becoming a very dangerous player for the opposition,” he opined.

“It is a pity that we lost him, he was something that was working well for us. But we will try to find solutions in the squad,” the Spaniard added.

On Ajithkumar Kamaraj

The Bengaluru FC boss also revealed that AjithKumar Kamaraj, who is yet to be featured for the Blues in the league this season, will be a a part of the matchday squad against ATK Mohun Bagan.

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“Ajith Kumar has not been part of the matchday squad so far because he got injured in pre-season and missed two weeks. After that, it takes time for him to adjust because our tactics call for playing with a high defensive line and it takes time to understand. When we are defending, there are a lot of compromises and one mistake could see the offside line broken. He is understanding our play, he has played in the friendly games against FC Goa and Kerala Blasters. But he is ready and he is going to be in matchday squad tomorrow,” he signed off.

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