Antonio Lopez Habas: I think NorthEast United was a difficult opponent

The ATK head coach also stressed that he felt his side played a 'perfect' match on Saturday night.

ATK FC surged to the top of the Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2019-20 table after a 3-0 win over NorthEast United FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Saturday. It was a welcome win for Antonio Lopez Habas' side, who were held to back to back draws in their previous two fixtures.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, the Spaniard praised the performance of his players against an opponent, who he felt, missed the presence of their star striker, Asamoah Gyan. He said, “I think that the team played a perfect match today. All players performed fantastically. I think the opponent was a difficult opponent.”

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“I think they were having a good season, but now, they haven’t won a match for some time. They had a problem with an injury to Asamoah, who is an important player to them. I think that the whole ATK team was fantastic today,” he added.

The ATK boss then, recognised the work of his entire team and not just the attack. “I would prefer to have the best team and not the best attack. Because football is attack and defence. Maybe the fans and supporters only see the goals, but behind the scenes, there is strong work.”

“I want to be the first in the table in February. My idea with the team is to go match to match. I don’t want to think about later than the next match, which is against (FC) Goa on Saturday. Now we have to enjoy the victory,” added Habas.

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The 62-year-old also commented on the increasing competitiveness in the league, but later maintained that he never feels pressure as a coach. “I think the matches have become more tactical. It is more serious and solid now. It is more difficult to play against all opponents. It is more complicated now.”

“We are professionals. I don’t understand pressure in my job. Maybe I will have pressure in another profession. Football is my life. I played in Spain, but had no pressure in my life. I understand football,” claimed Antonio Lopez Habas.

Finally, the Spaniard had some positive words for the Indian players in the league. “I think that the level of Indian players gets better every season. You have to see the pattern. In comparison to the first and second season, you can see many players with possibility to play at the elite level. It is important for Indian football,” he said.