ISL 2023-24: Our mentality is to win – Mohun Bagan SG’s Antonio Habas before semifinal clash against Odisha FC

Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s head coach Antonio Habas said their mentality is to win before the all-important first-leg semifinal against Odisha FC at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneshwar on Tuesday. The Mariners topped the League standings and thus won the League Shield for the first time in ISL history.

Mohun Bagan bagged 48 points in 22 matches and defeated Mumbai City FC by 2-1 to claim the League Shield. Habas’ team won 15 matches, drew three, and lost four in the league stage of the tournament.

When these two teams met earlier in the season, they played a 2-2 draw in 2023 and then once again shared the spoils with a goalless draw.

“They’re a very difficult opponent because they have a good coach (Sergio Lobera), they have players with experience of winning titles. Not easy. It will be a difficult match for us, but we have to prepare for the match,” stated Habas in the post-match press conference.

Sharing insights into his mindset ahead of the match, he added, “We have to play the match with the same responsibility as if it’s one match of the league. 90 minutes, we have to win to be first in the League and finished. And to win, that has to be the mentality for us.”

On being asked whether the Shield’s success has had any negative impact on the players, Habas responded, “I have the responsibility to activate the player in this situation. This is my work now. Because now the training is practically impossible to improve them on the field.”

He continued, “Now, the most important thing is the intelligence of the players playing this match.”

Meanwhile, Odisha FC’s striker Roy Krishna will face his former team, Mohun Bagan Super Giant. Under Habas’ tutelage, the Fijian won the Hero of the Season prize for his outstanding performance in the 2020-21 season.

“Surely, I will give him one hug before and after the match. But now my interest is in my team. In football there are no friends, there are opponents,” shared Habas.

MBSG will take on Odisha FC at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneshwar on Tuesday.