Juan Ferrando's ATKMB, Odisha trying best in difficult times

The Mariners will be in action for the first time in 18 days

Back to training after being in quarantine for nearly two weeks, ATK Mohun Bagan will hope to resume where they had left off when they play Odisha FC in the second game of a double-header in ISL 2021-22. Juan Ferrando's side are on a five-match unbeaten run and were held to a 2-2 draw by Hyderabad FC in their previous game. Their opponents Odisha FC beat NorthEast United in their last match and are eyeing consistency. Kino Ramirez has taken over as head coach of the Juggernauts after the club parted ways with Kiko Ramirez.

Ahead of their match, coaches Juan Ferrando and Kino Sanchez spoke to the media at the pre-match press conference and here's what they said:

ATK Mohun Bagan coach Juan Ferrando

Thoughts on Odisha FC

Juan Ferrando: Yeah, I think at this moment the games are difficult for everybody because everyone knows, in this moment in the bubbles it is difficult to work with the teams, to work with the players because someone is positive or someone has an injury risk and it is very difficult.

[KH_ADWORDS type="4" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS]

But of course, I think in this game is the most important thing is the control and the timings. Because now, of course, Odisha FC is confident after their last match, they won with a clear score against NorthEast United FC, but at this moment for us, the most important thing is believing in ourselves, thinking about our plan and trying to do the best in a difficult moment.

Worried about players' performance level after recovery from COVID-19

Juan Ferrando: I'm so scared because you know when you get Covid-19 it affects your health, increases risk of injuries and your performance is not good. But the second point is, is about the value of psychology because it's not so easy. You are in quarantine, you are in the rooms. You are closed all the time, you change your time for sleep, you change the time your food, you are not happy, you are changing everything in your body and in the end, it is difficult at this moment, I'm so scared for the players.

Mood ahead of the Kolkata Derby

Juan Ferrando: All games are important. Now our focus is on Odisha FC and then SC East Bengal. My point of view is that it’s my first time in the big derby and it's a pleasure to be in this game and play against SC East Bengal because I know these days in quarantine I read a lot about the history of the World Cup, I read a lot about football in Kolkata and I think it's it's a pleasure to be in these games. I'm so upset because it's not possible in Kolkata because of the feelings of the fans. But in the end, 100% is a pleasure to be in this game.

Odisha FC coach Kino Sanchez

Confidence ahead of clash against ATK Mohun Bagan

Kino Sanchez: I have trust in my players. I know that if they are confident and feel at their best, they can make things good. Even the opponents we face this week are tough and of course they are going to have chances. I think that the team can compete against everybody, even against ATK Mohun Bagan.

[KH_ADWORDS type="3" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS]

We saw that against Mumbai when they were leading the table. Knowing that ATK Mohun Bagan is going to have clear chances, we must be having a clean sheet, not conceding goals, having good order in set-pieces, and having a good organization in defence is good for us to build confidence in the players. We have to work match by match and only think in terms of a good performance.

If Hugo Boumous' absence will give Odisha an edge

Kino Sanchez: We know the quality of Boumous, and of course, not having that player on the pitch will be something good for us, but we also have to understand that they have Liston [Colaco], Roy Krishna, Williams [David]. They have options in the attack, and we don’t think that only because of the absence of one player, we would be gaining any advantage.

Of course, Boumous is having a big impact in the league in providing assists and scoring goals, but ATK Mohun Bagan have lots of quality in them. We are thinking how we can beat the ATK Mohun Bagan team with our whole team and not just in terms of advantage.

[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News |ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]

Mood in the camp after win over NorthEast United and a clean-sheet

Kino Sanchez:

The mood after winning is, obviously, good. So, after winning against NorthEast with a clean sheet is what we practised in training. We too are struggling with the difficulty of being in quarantine because of the covid situation, we understand that safety is first. It’s hard for the players, it’s hard for the staff, and for everybody in here.

We hope we can continue having good results so we can keep the mood high and of course giving chances to all the players to compete and bring three points to the team.

For more football updates, follow Khel Now on Twitter, Instagram and join our community on Telegram.