Preview: Can ATK Mohun Bagan surpass gritty NorthEast United to reach final?

Khalid Jamil's Highlanders are on a fairytale run this season.

ATK Mohun Bagan aim to storm into the Indian Super League final by getting past a resilient NorthEast United in the second leg of their semi-final encounter on Tuesday. The Mariners were held to a frustrating last-minute 1-1 draw in the reverse leg. However, they'll be determined to get the job done in the second leg and take a step closer to the title.

The Stakes

For the Mariners, anything less than at least reaching the ISL final will be a disappointment after the kind of season they have had. They only lost out on the AFC Champions League (ACL) spot on goal difference and will be determined to end their season with some silverware.

ATKMB will probably take a more attack-minded stance to this game knowing they need to put the tie to bed with an early goal or two. After the way they’ve performed this season, tripping up in the final hurdle will be a massive let-down which is why the pressure is on Antonio Habas' side to come up with the goods in the second leg.

While the Highlanders are definitely considered the ‘underdogs’ in this game, it would be unfair to say that they have ‘nothing to lose’ in the second. With the away goal rule being scrapped by the ISL, they have every chance to win the game even if they have to force extra-time or penalties!

Khalid Jamil will urge his side to go toe-to-toe with ATKMB and attack them from the get-go after watching their defensive frailties in recent games. For Jamil himself, a win could brighten the future of more Indian coaches in charge of ISL sides. For NorthEast, the stakes are high as a win can motivate the lads to move into the final chapter in their dream of winning the ISL title.

Team News

ATKMB will be running late fitness tests on Sandesh Jhingan and Edu Garcia who missed the first leg hoping that at least one of them is available for this big game.

NorthEast United, on the other hand, have a fully fit squad for the game.

Head-to-Head

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egmBs_eb9kY

These two sides have faced each other three times in history, all coming this season. Both have won one game apiece, with the most recent one being a draw. The erstwhile ATK had faced NorthEast United 12 times in the ISL, winning five, losing three and drawing four times.

Predicted Lineups

ATK Mohun Bagan: Arindam (GK), Prabir, Kotal, Tiri, Bose, McHugh, Lenny, Marcelinho, Manvir, Williams, Krishna

NorthEast United FC: Subhashish (GK), Mehta, Fox, Shareef, Gurjinder, Lalengmawia, Camara, Gallego, Suhair, Machado, Brown

Players to Watch

Roy Krishna (ATK Mohun Bagan)

If there’s one man who can single-handedly take ATK Mohun Bagan to the final, it is Roy Krishna. The striker defines the word ‘clutch’ for the Mariners and has a knack for scoring in all the big games. After having a slightly quiet game in the first leg, he’ll be primed to do something special in the reverse fixture.

Krishna will aim to be a bit more proactive with his forward movement and bring more variations to his moves in the second leg. Knowing how hungry he is in these occasions, he’ll probably latch onto chances himself and take repeated swipes at goal. Unless NorthEast keep a strict check on Krishna, he could run away with the game on Tuesday.

Federico Gallego (NorthEast United FC)

Just like Krishna is ATKMB’s Mr. Dependable in big games, Gallego also turns up big when the pressure is highest for NorthEast United. The Uruguayan created four goalscoring chances in the first leg, but couldn’t see his teammates capitalize on it. With Deshorn Brown primed to return and Luis Machado perhaps in a more attacking role, he’ll hope to continue creating big chances from midfield with his deft creativity.

ATKMB are slightly weak defending set-pieces too, therefore, Gallego will look to whip in brilliant corners and free-kicks to torment them. Having lost out on the 2018-19 season due to a horrific injury, he will look to do what he couldn’t by giving his everything and helping the Highlanders move onto the final.

Did You Know?

• ATKMB’s 1-1 draw against NorthEast United marked the first time they didn’t win a game in which David Williams scored a goal.
• NorthEast United are yet to lose a game under Khalid Jamil. They have won six out of the 10 games played (four draws) under him.
• Krishna has averaged 4.9 touches in an opposition’s penalty area per 90 minutes this season – the most for any player in the current ISL campaign.

Telecast

The match between ATK Mohun Bagan and NorthEast United FC is set to be telecast live on Star Sports 1 SD & HD. It will also be live on Star Sports 2 SD & HD (English), Star Sports Hindi 1 SD & HD, Star Sports 3 and several other regional languages. Live streaming of the match will be available on Hotstar and Jio TV.