A disappointing result for us, our target was to get three points: ATK Mohun Bagan's Juan Ferrando
ATK Mohun Bagan head coach Juan Ferrando was disappointed as his team failed to collect three points after playing a 1-1 draw against Odisha FC in Match 100 of the Hero Indian Super League at the Tilak Maidan Stadium, Vasco da Gama, Goa on Thursday.
ATK Mohun Bagan head coach Juan Ferrando was disappointed as his team failed to collect three points after playing a 1-1 draw against Odisha FC in Match 100 of the Hero Indian Super League at the Tilak Maidan Stadium, Vasco da Gama, Goa on Thursday.
Redeem Tlang opened the scoring early for Odisha FC, but ATKMB returned into the game minutes later when Joni Kauko converted a penalty. Mohun Bagan, which was held goalless by Odisha in the reverse fixture, thus fell behind in the race for the league winner’s shield.
Match Report: Composed Odisha FC blunt ATK Mohun Bagan's threat to earn creditable draw
This draw keeps the Mariners in third place with 31 points from 17 games, while Odisha FC stays in seventh place with 23 points in 19 matches.
Ferrando addressed the media after the game.
Here are some excerpts from his press conference:
What is your assessment of today’s game?
Disappointing for us. Our target was to get three points. This is my thought for today's game.
Do you think the dream to finish top is now gone?
It’s necessary to fight until the last moment. This is my target and our mentality. Till the last moment, we need to fight.
You said a lot of the players are not 100% fit. What is the status going into the final three games?
It’s difficult when you do the necessary substitutions for injuries. This is the reason because when players are ready you can do substitution depending on the performance, depending on that moment if you want to change the plan. But when you lose three substitutions for injuries it gets difficult. But this is not an excuse it's a problem for all the teams because of quarantine and no training then you come to play two games in three days, it’s normal.
Roy Krishna gets a red card late in the game. Was that unnecessary and how big will it be a concern for you against Bengaluru FC?
Now, I think it's necessary to take up the race and prepare for the Bengaluru FC game. Now it’s not necessary to talk because at this moment we need to keep calm and think for the next day.