ISL 2022-23: This result is good for our confidence and our mentality: ATK Mohun Bagan’s Juan Ferrando

ATK Mohun Bagan head coach Juan Ferrando was delighted after his team defeated Odisha FC by 2-0 at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata on Saturday. The Spaniard reckons this win is good for their confidence and mentality for the upcoming matches.

Dimitri Petratos opened the scoring for the Mariners in the third minute of the game. The Australian scored his second goal in the 80th minute to help his team grab three crucial points.

With this win, the Mariners climbed to fourth place in the standings with 27 points after 15 matches.

“We try to win matches with as many goals. Our target is to get more goals and create more chances. Today, Manvir (Singh), Hugo (Boumous) and Ashique Kuruniyan missed chances as well but we have to continue working. I hope the emotions in the dressing room will be better than the last two weeks. But now it’s important to focus on Bengaluru FC as we play at home and it’s an important match. At this moment, this result is good for our confidence and our mentality,” Ferrando said in the post-match press conference.

The home team took five shots on target and they were able to create many chances throughout the game.

“The most important thing is that we created chances. We had five shots on goal. It’s good. We will take the three points, the most important thing for us is to get the three points as we play at home. Bengaluru FC won their match (against Chennaiyin FC) and now all teams are fighting for the playoffs. This is our target (to reach the playoffs),” he added.

“In the case of Dimitri (Petratos), it’s different when he plays with Ashique (Kuruniyan) in the forward line. We needed Ashique more in the spaces and Liston (Colaco) in this case (when he plays in the starting eleven), he goes inside and in this case, Petratos needs to attack the free spaces. This is the reason why Hugo Boumous and Petratos were playing in the same line, because we have one player more to attack the free space and to make the combinations inside. This is the reason we prepared this plan and it was good and the team won,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ferrando showered praise on Glan Martins who recently joined ATK Mohun Bagan. Martins had played under the umbrella of Ferrando for FC Goa in the past.

“I trust these kinds of players. I’m very happy that he (Martins) could join us. Of course, the players need to understand some points and methodologies in the game. Glan (Martins) played with me previously at FC Goa. For me, it’s easier to use him in my plans and philosophy and in positional attack. I’m happy with these players. But for Glan (Martins), he’s the kind of player that wants to improve, work hard every day. These players are thinking about their career and the team. For me, it’s perfect. I’m happy with these kinds of players because they help the team a lot,” Ferrando said.

ATK Mohun Bagan will next face Bengaluru FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata on 5th February.