Atlético de Kolkata have a point to prove, and top spot to reclaim. Chennaiyin’s 3-1 win over Pune City on November 19 means that Kolkata are in a position other than first in the Hero Indian Super League table for the first time since the league started. They come up against Kerala Blasters, which have the best defence in the league, having conceded the fewest goals so far.Kolkata head coach Antonio López Habas readily agreed during the pre-match media interaction on the eve of the match that he was expecting an interesting game in Kochi. “We are playing at a good stadium, against a good team. We have had a very good season and we are expecting a tough match tomorrow,” he said.The Kolkata team started off the season in an impeccable fashion with ten points in the first four matches. Since then, however, they have been able to secure only 6 from the next 5 matches. When asked if the recent results are a matter of concern, the head coach pointed out that the good start has certainly helped the team. “We were on top of the table until a few days ago. But we are playing against opponents who are also good. They are also preparing for each opponent and it is not possible to win all games at this level. We are playing against another good team tomorrow. We are here to win and get the whole three points,” said the head coach.He was appreciative about the huge turn out of football supporters for the matches in Kochi. But he dismissed the concern that this will put an additional burden on the players. He said that for the professional players, the crowd is not a concern, but a motivation, and added that there was not much difference playing home or away, in his view. “We play the same and we have been getting better results away from home and so we will be aiming for a win.”Striker Fikru Teferra Lemessa has been an important player in the team and the coach acknowledged his contribution in the form of goals and chances he create for others. Injuries have been a small worry though with Baljit Sahni, a striker by trade, having slotted in as right back in the previous game in place of the injured Denzil Franco. But the coach refuses to hold injuries as the reason for the slight slump in form. “We have a big squad. We have very good players. They are all doing very well for us. Injury to one player doesn’t change the entire team performance.” Miguel Martinez, the physical trainer of the team, who accompanied Habas, added that the team in fact has fewer injuries than other teams. He said that it was unfortunate that the injury to Denzil Franco was a serious one.
