ATK’s next assignment in the Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2018-19 league campaign will see them head west to face FC Goa at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Thursday. The former Hero ISL champions are still in the mix for a play-off spot but need to make most of their remaining matches to stand a chance of qualifying for the semi-finals.

At the pre-match presser, ATK head coach Steve Coppell shared his views on the upcoming fixture. "It is a crucial match in terms of the consequences, but we will approach it like any other game. We want to win. So, we try and prepare to win. You can’t be more intense than we have been in the previous 15 games. The preparation for these games is a process. We will continue our process and we hope that we get a good result," he said.

The Englishman also refused to get carried away by ATK’s superior head-to-head record against the Gaurs and said, "Psychologically I suppose it (the head-to-head statistic) makes you feel a little better, but I’m sure once the whistle blows tomorrow evening, it won’t make much difference. Goa are a very good team. We respect them, the ability they have, individually and collectively. We know we have to be at the top of our game to get a positive result tomorrow."

"Over the course of this season, we haven’t had an easy game. Coming to Goa, you look at the personnel they have - they got good players, they have a good coach who organizes them very well. Our task is more or less defined. For us to be in control of our own destiny, we have to win the game. We will try and get as many scoring situations as possible and try and keep Goa quiet. We’re all in," he said.

The addition of Edu Garcia to the ATK squad has allowed the 63-year-old to implement a more attacking style of play. Sharing his opinion on the same, Coppell said, "I prepare as well as I can. The players prepare and are determined to do their job. If we do our jobs and we are collectively good, we have a good chance of getting a positive result. But again, Goa are a good side."

The ATK boss concluded his pre-match briefing by giving an update on the injuries and suspensions in the squad. "We have no suspensions. Like any team at this stage of the season, we’ve got a few players who are carrying knocks, but it shouldn’t stop them playing. The number of games is not a factor if we get everyone on the pitch," revealed the Englishman.

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