We have been concentrating more on defense than on offence-Sen

The Bagan boss is not underestimating opponents Churchill Brothers...

Ahead of their I-League 2017 campaign opener against Churchill Brothers, Mohun Bagan head coach Sanjoy Sen made it clear that he is not ready to underestimate his opponents in any possible way on Sunday. The Kolkata giants are set to begin their I-League campaign this season against an almost incognito Churchill Brothers side at Barasat Stadium.

Mohun Bagan’s title hopes went dim only yesterday when they were denied hosting their home games at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium by the National Green Tribunal and were forced to reset their venue to Barasat Stadium on the same day. However, the Bagan coach revealed that out of all the possible things he was concerned about his team, changing of venue of the home games was not one of them.

“I have told my players that we have to play at Cooperage, we have to play at Rabindra Sarobar and we have to adjust. We have to adjust with or without any practice,” said Sen. Mariners’ head coach was also asked about his feelings towards the expectations regarding Mohun Bagan this season when he said, “Expectations are common for a team such as Mohun Bagan. We are a good team, no doubt about that.” However, he also warned that looming expectations do not always produce good results.

Mohun Bagan are missing a key player in Sony Norde due to personal reasons whereas another foreigner Eduardo Ferreira is also set to miss the opening fixture against Churchill with the lack of match fitness. When asked about his impression on the absence of key team members Sen said, “It is a disadvantage. Sometimes, foreign players make all the difference and our players might have expected it to be easy if they were available.”

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The former Mohammedan coach wasn’t secretive about his tactics against Churchill Brothers. “We try to play with the ball at our feet. We keep possession, we use the wings to provide crosses. We have to play that type of game,” said the current Mohun Bagan head coach. “First match of the season is always tricky. Players tend to give extra while playing against teams like Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. I have experienced that before. So we have to be careful,” he further added.

The Bagan coach seemed heated up when he was asked the reason why Jeje Lalpekhlua was put into another squad in the last training session. “I don’t form my team to please journalists. This is how my team works,” he said. Following this heated conversation, he also denied naming any team he is considering to be title contenders.