Atlético de Kolkata players and coaching staff were a jubilant bunch after upsetting FC Goa via a penalty shoot-out at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Goa, to reach the final of the inaugural edition of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL).

Speaking at the post-match press conference, goalkeeping coach Deshi Bhaktawer, who filled in for head coach Antonio López Habas after the latter suffered a dizzy spell on the pitch, assured the media that the health of the head coach was not a worry. “He had a little bit of a dizzy spell on the pitch. It’s nothing serious, but he has been taken to the hospital just as a precaution,” he revealed.

Asked what the Kolkata strategy was during the semi-final, fitness coach Miguel Martinez replied, “It is not easy to score goals. Of course, we would like to score five goals every match. Our strategy tonight was not to concede. It worked out in the end.” Martinez went on to add that they will have to plan different for the title round. “Every game has been difficult. The final is a whole different ball game. We hope to win it, of course, but we’re also looking to enjoy ourselves while doing so,” he noted.

Marquee player Luis García, who accompanied the two coaches to the press conference, was asked about the reason for his substitution in the second half (he was replaced by Jofre). He disclosed that he felt his hamstring get a little tight and was therefore taken off as a precaution, “I felt a little bit of a cramp in my hamstring. We need players who are at 100 per cent on the pitch and I definitely wasn’t after that. Besides, now there’s a big game in a couple days and I intend to be fit for that one,” he declared.  

Regarding his side’s dip in form midway through the tournament, the ex-Liverpool player said, “We were leading for 10 games in a row. It is true that we struggled a bit in between, but we have shown that we are a hard side to beat. It wasn’t only now, we showed it long back.”

With respect to the injuries that have plagued the side and the competition for a place in the starting XI, García affirmed that it is the coach’s job to pick the best 11 players available. “Everyone wants to play, especially in a big game. But you have to understand that it is the coach who calls the shots,” he pointed out.

The former Spanish international was full of praise for the ISL which has done a world of good for the domestic players. “Everyone has been good. It gets a little difficult because of the close scheduling of matches. The stadia have been full almost everywhere. This tournament has helped to bring out the talent in a lot of players and it’s good to see,” he stated.