Cuadrat Confident of Sealing Play-Off Spot Against ATK at Kanteerava

Bengaluru FC boss Carles Cuadrat has disclosed his confidence in his team’s ability to get a victory against Atletico De Kolkota on Saturday at the Kanteerava.

The manager spoke to newsmen after the team’s 2-1 defeat to Maziya in the Maldives in the AFC cup Qualification match played on Wednesday.

After a goalless first half, Maziya took the lead in the second half Hussain Mahudhee in the 64th minute before Spanish defender Francisco Nili equalized seven minutes later.

However, Cornelius Stewart scored the winner in the 80th minute to secure a first-leg win for the home team.

Carles Cuadrat, while speaking with the club’s website after the game, revealed that the playing turf in the Maldives made it difficult for his team to play to their strength.

He also stated how rotating the team may be the key to a positive result in the home game against ATK and next Wednesday’s AFC cup Qualification return leg.

Nevertheless, Bengaluru will take into the second at the Kanteerava, an away goal which may prove pivotal, but first, before the second leg on the 26th of February is a final regular Indian Super League season game against ATK.

In the ISL, Bengaluru are in the Playoff spots in third with 29 points from 17 games, three above Mumbai City in 4th and 4 points away from Chennaiyin, who are in 5th as well as 2 games outstanding.

Meanwhile, in the ISL, the Blues have in their last five games have lost the last two although they managed two wins and a draw in the rest.

Their visitors ATK, have secured their playoff spot with 33 points in second place four more than their Saturday hosts.

They also have been impressive in their last 5 games with 4 wins and a loss, but their last 5 games in their head to head with Bengaluru suggest a win for the blues.

Bengaluru won four of all their last five games against each other, with ATK’s only win coming in their last face-off on the 25th of December 2019 at the Salt Lake Stadium.

 

 

Written by: Daniel Ademiju Idowu