ATK Mohun Bagan head coach Juan Ferrando expressed that his team is fully focused on the fixture against Hyderabad FC as the two teams clash in the latest fixture of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2022-23 at the G.M.C Balayogi Athletic Stadium, in Hyderabad, on Tuesday.

Both teams are coming into the match after dropping points in the previous matches. ATK Mohun Bagan are currently in fourth place in the Hero ISL points table and with a victory, the Mariners can climb to third place. Meanwhile, Manolo Marquez's men are sitting comfortably in second place.

In the reverse fixture, the Mariners secured victory with a solitary goal. The side would be looking to repeat the heroics of the last game. Ferrando stated that the team is focused on the fixture and wants to secure the three points.

"For us, it's a new game, of course, it's important to focus on Hyderabad FC. The matches we lost in the past, we can't change anything now, we can learn from our mistakes but most important for us is to focus on Tuesday's match and it's an important game for us. We got the three points in the reverse fixture and that's something good for us and we want to get the three points and this is our mentality for all of our matches," Ferrando said in the official pre-match press conference.

The fixture has turned out even more important for the Mariners after Kerala Blasters FC lost against Bengaluru FC which gives the Kolkata giants a chance to overlap Ivan Vukomanovic's side in the Hero ISL points table. Ferrando explained that it's a good opportunity for the team to secure third place and highlighted Hyderabad FC's good ongoing season and the quality players they boast.

"Honestly, I'm thinking of getting the three points and competing for third place. Our mentality is to go against Hyderabad FC and get the three points. I'm not thinking that we are out of the playoffs, we are thinking about getting the three points. On Saturday, Kerala Blasters FC lost their match against Bengaluru FC, so now it's a good opportunity for us because if we manage to win against Hyderabad FC, then have a final for third place in our match against Kerala Blasters FC. Everybody is thinking in the same way. The match against Hyderabad FC is going to be a difficult one, their performance this season has been good, they have quality players and it's very important for us to control a lot of things," Ferrando said.

Their forward, Dimitri Petratos, has led the team from the front by scoring eight goals in 16 games. The Mariners head coach praised the Australian striker and on his attacking brilliance and his all-round performances this season.

"Dimi (Dimitrios Petratos) has been so good, his numbers are good, he's excellent in the press, and he's perfect to find spaces in the attack. He helps in the buildup and helps in defence as well. His goals and assists have been really good. He's been up there with top players in the Hero ISL. I'm really happy with his performances," Ferrando concluded.

Brendan Hamill accompanied Ferrando in the official pre-match press conference. The 30-year-old has played 16 matches in the league with 78 clearances and 24 interceptions to his name. Hamill talked about how the team is acting as one unit, with everyone fighting for the same goal.

"We are looking ahead, everything is still in our hands, in football, it's impossible to not make mistakes. As long as we learn from them as a team, we have played well across the season in patches and we've had moments, so more or less, it has been about consistency as a team. We are fighting together for the same goal and as long as we continue to do this and stay together, it's very simple and it's very hard to do not just in football but in life as well. Our full focus is on Hyderabad FC and to get the three points," Hamil said in the pre-match press conference.

"We attack as a team, all as one so it's not just one player, it's us all in one. So we defend as a team and we attack as one. I can guarantee that we all are working hard in training and we all are not happy with where we are in the sense that we could have more games. We are learning from that and it's just not one player, it's the whole team, squad and the club," he added.

The Australian defender joined ATK Mohun Bagan ahead of the ongoing season and has been a recurring name on the team sheet for Ferrando's men since then. Hamill gave insights about his time with the Mariners and shared his hunger to win silverware.

"I'm enjoying my time here, I'm very hungry and passionate to win silverware, I'm at an age where I'm thinking about getting better but the goal is to win and that's our team's goal as well. I'm trying to do my part to achieve that, we all are fighting for the same goal as a family and I'm very happy. We are focused on our next fixtures," Hamill concluded.