ATK Mohun Bagan will start favourites against bottom-placed NorthEast United FC in their ISL VIII match here on Saturday. ATK Mohun Bagan are on a nine-game unbeaten run, sitting fourth in the table with 23 points from 13 matches.
They can aspire to reach the top with two wins and that has to start against NorthEast United who have not won a game in their last nine outings. They are rock-bottom with 10 points from 16 games and will have nothing but pride to play for.
Juan Ferrando’s ATK Mohun Bagan have looked like a well-oiled machine of late. The only cause for concern for Ferrando could be the lack of clean sheets. But other than that, the Calcutta side have looked brilliant in every department under the Spaniard, playing more with the ball and also creating a lot more opportunities in the final third.
Liston Colaco also ended a four-game goalless streak as he gave ATK Mohun Bagan the lead in their 2-1 win over Hyderabad FC in their last game. Colaco took his tally to six goals this season. He and Manvir Singh have looked in supreme touch.
“Every game is different. We have plans for NorthEast United. Our way is to keep the ball and attack the spaces,” Ferrando said at the pre-match news conference.
“They have good players and we need to be focussed for ninety minutes.”
Chhetri’s mark
Bengaluru FC’s Sunil Chhetri became the league’s all-time top scorer with his 50th goal during their 1-2 loss to Hyderabad FC in Bambolim.
By the time Chhetri got his name on the score sheet, Hyderabad were already leading 2-0 with first-half strikes from Javier Siviero (16th) and Joao Victor (30th). Hyderabad now have 29 points from 16 games.
