Atlético de Kolkata had the better of Chennaiyin FC last season in the Hero Indian Super League winning three out of four contests. However, their one loss in the first leg of their semi-final by 3-0 made their wins insignificant as they conceded the tie 4-2 on aggregate and the Super Machans went on to become champions.
A lot has changed since then. There is a new coach at ATK in the form of Francisco Molina and in less than 24 hours his side faces the defending champions in their new home, the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium. In the lead-up to the match, there has been talk of ATK being ready to avenge their biggest and most significant defeat of the last season but addressing the media on Saturday, Molina dismissed such suggestions without thinking twice.
“In football it is not about revenge. They won last season and they won and we cannot do nothing about that. If we win tomorrow we won’t be playing the final of last season. This is not revenge. This is a new season, a new beginning and we have to focus on this season, only on tomorrow’s match. The next match is the most important and forget the past. We have to be focused and do our best, trying to win on the field,” Molina said.
The Spaniard also acknowledged that they were up against a quality team but also said that wasn’t going to deter them much. “My first match in the ISL, I’m excited about that. We had a very good pre-season in Spain and now a 10-day training period in Kolkata with the full team. And I’m just happy with the players. I think we are ready and have absolute confidence in the team and the players. To start with the champion team is always difficult. They are a strong team and will be a tough match. But I have confidence in my team and we are ready to face the opposition, to do our best and try to win.”
The 46-year-old former goalkeeper also set his expectations straight from marquee player Helder Postiga. The Portuguese striker didn’t feature again in Hero ISL 2015 after picking up injury in the league opener against Chennaiyin. “We hope Helder Postiga can help us a lot. Last year he was unlucky with the early injury. He couldn’t play. He scored two goals in the one match he played. Hope he can play at least 10 matches [so that] he can score 20, it will be great. Postiga is of course the marquee and very important for us. We are trying to help him to be at his best,” he said.
Molina also spoke favourably of the Indian players in the ATK squad. “I’m absolutely happy with the Indianplayers. They work really hard. They are always trying to improve. They are always trying to learn. Sometimes the language can be a problem, but I told them to ask me questions.
“They ask a lot, they are ready. Some couldn’t come to Spain for pre-season, consequently losing a month of training session but now after 10 days in Kolkata, I can say they worked hard. I’m really happy with a lot ofplayers,” he said.
Apart from Molina, another new aspect of Sunday’s game is the venue, the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium. After two seasons at the Salt Lake Stadium, ATK will play their all home games here this season. When asked if the unfamiliarity with the new stadium could be a hindrance, Molina said: “I think today will be the first day we go to the stadium and train. We can now know something about the stadium. I’m sure the club has worked a lot to prepare the ground. I’m sure it will be a great stadium for us.”
Molina also discussed his style which appears to be not very different from that of his predecessor at ATK, Antonio Habas. “We will try to be an aggressive team in attack and defence. We will look to have possession of the ball, move forward, try and score. But you can’t have possession for full 90 minutes. If you only attack or defend well, then you are not a strong team, then you are doing half the work,” he said.
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