ISL 2023: It’s important to get the job done in 90 minutes – ATK Mohun Bagan’s Juan Ferrando

ATK Mohun Bagan head coach Juan Ferrando believes it is imperative to get the job done in 90 minutes in the second leg semifinal against Hyderabad FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Monday.

Both the teams played a goalless draw in the first leg in Hyderabad and both of them will now look to seal their final spot in the tournament. Hyderabad FC had beaten ATK Mohun Bagan by 3-2 on aggregate in the previous season’s semifinal and thus the Mariners will be seeking their revenge.

Meanwhile, ATK Mohun Bagan had defeated Hyderabad FC by 1-0 when they played at their home venue of Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata earlier in the season.

“Monday’s game will be like a final for us. First leg was different from what will happen in Monday’s game. Our mentality is to play like a final, of course, the target is to win and reach the final. It’s an important match and it is important to get the job done in 90 minutes,” Ferrando stated in the official pre-match press conference.

The Spaniard also gave injury updates on midfielder Ashique Kuruniyan and forward Kiyan Nassiri Giri.

“We are working with the physios on Ashique’s fitness. In case of Kiyan (Nassiri Giri), it (recovery) is still in the moment and the process differs from player to player. We’ll try our best until the end with our physios, doctors, and then in the end we’ll decide the squad,” he said.

The gaffer added that both teams will look to win in 90 minutes and not take the game to extra time.

“In my point of view, Hyderabad FC and ATK Mohun Bagan are not thinking about extra time, they are thinking about winning the match in 90 minutes. We are not thinking of what seems to work in defense or to wait for extra time. I think from the first minute, (both) teams want to do their best and win the match,” he said.

Ferrando admitted that it hasn’t been easy going for the team because of the injury woes throughout the ninth edition of the tournament.

“Obviously, this season we had very difficult moments because we lost support of players but the most important thing is that we kept working in the same way. We are one win away from the final. Of course, we are disappointed with our performance this season but the best part about this team is that when the situation is not the best, the performance is not the best, the teammates show character, they continue working in the same way, they try to improve, they try to work hard. For me, this is the most important thing,” the Spaniard commented.

“As a coach, it makes me think that this team can go to the final, this team is improving and can do better. This is the most important thing. Never change the way, never change the idea and stick with the same ideas and philosophy,” he further added.