Preview: Confident NorthEast United lock horns with mighty ATK Mohun Bagan in semi-final first leg

The Highlanders have been in an exceptional run of form ever since interim coach Khalid Jamil took charge.

NorthEast United are all set to appear in the Indian Super League playoffs for only the second time in their history as they prepare to face ATK Mohun Bagan on Saturday. The Highlanders booked a place in the playoffs after finishing third in the league with 33 points. On the other hand, ATK Mohun Bagan missed out on AFC Champions League berth after a defeat in their last game of the league stage against eventual table-toppers Mumbai City. The Mariners had to settle for a second-place finish because of their inferior head-to-head record against Mumbai.

The Stakes

It wouldn’t be wrong to say that NorthEast United have already overachieved by qualifying for the playoffs. Hardly anyone could see the Highlanders finishing in the top four before the season, even more so after the sacking of their coach Gerard Nus halfway through. But Khalid Jamil’s appointment seems to have worked wonders for the Highlanders. Now with a nine-match unbeaten run, the Highlanders will walk into the first leg of the semi-final, full of confidence.  

On the other hand, ATK Mohun Bagan will be very disappointed after losing a chance to finish at the top of the table after the league stages and missing a chance to qualify for the AFC Champions League. The Mariners only needed to avoid defeat in their last match in order to finish the league stages at the top, but failed to do so after losing 2-0 against Mumbai City. They would like to redeem themselves by lifting the ISL trophy.

Team News

With the return of Federico Gallego in the last match, Khalid Jamil will have a full squad to select his starting XI from.

Sandesh Jhingan was substituted in ATKMB’s last match against Mumbai City and remains a doubt for the first leg.

Head-to-Head

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFrZGdD9O5A

The two sides have met each other twice so far with ATK Mohun Bagan winning the first match 2-0, while NorthEast United emerged on top with a 2-1 win in their second meeting this season.

Moreover, the Highlanders have faced the erstwhile ATK 12 times, winning three and losing seven of those encounters. The remaining two have ended in a draw.

Probable Lineups

NorthEast United: Subhasish (GK); Ashutosh, Mashoor, Lambot, Lakra; Apuia, Camara, Gallego, Machado, Suhair; Brown

ATK Mohun Bagan: Arindam (GK); Kotal, Prabir, Tiri, Subhasish; Lenny, McHugh, Javi; Manvir, Williams, Krishna.

Man to Watch

Federico Gallego (NorthEast United)

Almost every player in the NorthEast squad has contributed in the club’s inspiring run till now. Despite that, Gallego’s contributions manage to stand out. The midfielder has four goals and six assists to his name. After having missed the game against East Bengal, the midfielder was back as a substitute in their last match against Kerala.

Gallego was very influential in the Highlanders’ last match against the Mariners which they won 2-1 with the Uruguayan bagging a goal and an assist. With an ATKMB defense that might be missing a key figure in Sandesh Jhingan, Gallego could cause major problems to the Mariners' backline both through his set-piece deliveries and open play.

Roy Krishna (ATK Mohun Bagan)

Different season, same old Roy Krishna. He is doing it again for the Mariners. With 14 goals and four assists, he is ATKMB’s highest goalscorer and also their highest assist provider for the season. The Fijian can cause problems for any defence in the league and will no doubt prove to be a handful for the NorthEast United defence that has only kept three clean sheets in their last fifteen matches.

Did You Know?

• 11 different goalscorers have contributed for NorthEast United so far this season. Their highest-ever in a single season.
• The Highlanders’ third place finish is their highest-ever finish in the league table.
• If the Mariners manage to win the title this season, it would be a historic 3rd for head coach Antonio Habas.

Telecast

The match between NorthEast United and ATK Mohun Bagan is set to be telecast live on Star Sports 1 SD & HD, 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.