My target is to win the ISL League Winner’s Shield says ATK Mohun Bagan head coach Juan Ferrando

ATK Mohun Bagan did enough to see out a 1-0 win against the listless Chennaiyin FC in the Indian Super League courtesy of a goal from Roy Krishna. The Fijian returned to the starting eleven after a long time and scoring the decisive goal was a bonus for the Mariners.

It was a pretty dull game with not many chances as both sides defended well and restricted the opponents to an absolute minimum. But a late first-half goal from Krishna made the difference on the night.

Therefore when ATK Mohun Bagan head coach Juan Ferrando was quizzed about how hard his team were made to work to earn that win. “To be honest, I think in the first half we were in a better position, attack-wise, and we were trying to find open spaces but of course, in the second half, it was very tight. As compared to normal games, there is more pressure in games like this because we are thinking of the three points, a semi-final spot but for Chennaiyin FC it was the last game, it is the time to enjoy the game. And when you enjoy the game, you play better as compared to playing under pressure,” he replied at the post-match press conference.

Ferrando feels that his team had control of the game in the first half. But then they were not up to the mark in the second half allowing the Marina Machans to fight their way into the game. But their defence stood up and closed the game out despite the slender lead.

“In the first half, my point of view was that we had more clear chances to make it 2-0 maybe. In the second half, we were not at our best, the team was not fresh, there weren’t clear opportunities and we were losing the ball in passing. In transition, we were not improving. I’m happy with the players who are trying to do their best every day,” he explained.

The major silver lining from the match was Roy Krishna’s return and solitary goal that helped the Mariners bag the three points against Chennaiyin FC. Ferrando feels that it is important that his talisman is getting back to form at the right time of the season.

” I am happy for Roy because it has been a difficult time for him with quarantine, Covid-19, newborn baby. He and his family had some difficult moments. But hopefully, this is finished, just twenty more days and everybody will be out of the bubble. Then we will have a normal life and enjoy,” Ferrando added.

Lastly, the Spaniard highlighted how winning the Shield is his primary target at the moment. However, he still credited Jamshedpur FC, Hyderabad FC and Kerala Blasters on wonderful seasons as he feels that it is necessary to congratulate these teams on their efforts this season.

“I hope Odisha FC help us and next Monday it will be a final. Well, Jamshedpur FC have been amazing this season. And in the end, if they take three points against Odisha, it will be a moment to congratulate them as it has been a good season for them. It is necessary to accept fair play about the job. We will see what happens now. My target is to win and we’ll win (to go) on top of the table. But maybe in case that is not possible, it is normal. We will have to accept that. Jamshedpur as well as Kerala, for example, Hyderabad had an amazing season. They are working hard, got good results, good squad and players. I think it is necessary to talk about the rest of the teams,” he signed off.