The 2018-19 season of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) is gearing up for a blockbuster beginning as two-time champions ATK take guard at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Saturday for the season opener against Kerala Blasters. Both clubs come into this fixture with a host of changes made during the summer transfer window. Ahead of the big match, new head coach of ATK, Steve Coppell was present at the pre-match press conference to take questions from the media.

Coppell, who would be facing the club he had managed in his first Hero ISL season in 2016, started off by speaking about the emotions running through his players’ heads. “I think everybody probably feels the same at this stage. Just before the season starts you think you’re ready, you hope you are, but until you play, you don’t really know if you’re ready. We’re looking forward to the game. It’s good that it is against Kerala and it would be a great time with the crowd. We just want to go forward with the game and enjoy it and continue along and prepare ourselves against other teams.”

ATK boast of better head-to-head results when compared to their opponents, having got the better of them in two Hero ISL finals, 2014 and 2016. However, Coppell refused to take those figures into consideration. “It’s in the past and is not going to influence the result. It’s a clean sheet and a brand new season. Both sides have a lot of optimism and want to start well. Everyone can’t wait to get started. You have to go in every game and try and win the game. We’ll be playing for three points.”

The Englishman has had a wealth of experience coaching in the league, having also managed Jamshedpur FC during their debut season in 2017-18. Hence, he was able to underline some of the major changes in the football culture between Jamshedpur and Kolkata. “Jamshedpur is a quiet city in terms of when we trained there, which was a very new set-up. They have had the Tata Football Academy for many years now, which has produced a lot of young players. Coming to Kolkata, it has a rich history with Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. Jamshedpur is a brand-new footballing city. Given the influence of Tata, it won’t be long enough before Jamshedpur becomes a strong team in the Hero ISL.”

Coppell also provided an update on the availability of his players ahead of tomorrow’s game with some notable exclusions due to injury. “Arnab Mondal has a knee injury. Andre Bikey has a thigh muscle problem but is close to being fit. I might take a call tomorrow on his availability. Eugeneson (Lyngdoh) is also very close to being involved in the start, very close indeed.”

The 63-year-old concluded by talking about the kind of advantage ATK hold by beginning their campaign at home. “It’s down to us to make our home ground our fortress. Playing at home is not an advantage in the Hero ISL, even statistically. In terms of convenience, it’s good that were at home and we are ready for the challenge.”