For the third time in a row, Atlético de Kolkata will be up against a might opponent on Tuesday in the 2015 Hero Indian Super League [ISL]. Following their matches against Chennaiyin FC (which they won) and FC Goa (which ended in a draw), now it’s last year’s finalists Kerala Blasters FC they will be facing at the Salt Lake Stadium, ATK’s first home match of the season. A confident Antonio Lopez Habas, Kolkata’s head coach, took questions from the media on Monday and said his team was prepared to play another tough game.“It’s very difficult for us at the start of the competition. Goa, Chennai and now Kerala, are the three more important opponents last season. I think as a team they have had a fantastic performer in Chennai and a good performer in Goa and with now the same performer again in Kerala. We are prepared. I can say only one thing we are prepared,” Habas told reporters.ATK will miss quite a few important players in the match, some India players out on national duty, some injured, like Helder Postiga and some red-carded, like Baljit Sahni. However, Habas was confident his team had enough firepower for the contest. “In the beginning I say, that no excuses. I have absolute confidence in the fit 18 players for this game. I don’t have to remember the player who is not with us. It is not possible. Injury or national team, I am absolute confidence in the players who are here,” Habas said.When asked whether the importance of the bench had increased in light of several back-to-back matches, the 58-year-old said: “We need every player. The squad is 26 players and we need, during the competition, 26 players to play. Maybe tomorrow we play players [who haven’t played yet] but I am absolutely confident in my team in my squad and I’m very happy because the team is fantastic right now.”After playing their matches on artificial turf last season, ATK will have natural grass this season and Habas was happy at the prospect. “I think that natural grass is good for everybody, for the opponent, for Atlético de Kolkata. I prefer it as it is not traumatic for the players because it’s hard, the movement is very difficult on the artificial turf. I’m happy we can play on the grass.”Brazilian great Pele will be in the stands to watch ATK play and Habas said his presence was important to his team. “It’s important to increase the performance of the team because it’s very important for us. It’s the first game with our supporters. It’s very important for Atlético de Kolkata & very important for Kolkata. Pele in the stands is a good idea because he is well known in the world of football. It’s very important for us,” he said.
