Mohun Bagan Super Giant head coach Juan Ferrando wants his side to remain focused as last season’s champions begin their ISL-X campaign with a match against debutants Punjab FC at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday.
Bagan are on a high after the Durand Cup triumph on September 3 and the 4-0 rout of 10-man Odisha FC in an AFC Cup match on Tuesday last.
Ferrando, however, believes that ISL-X will bring new challenges and they need to leave their past glory behind and focus on the present and future.
“Tomorrow (Saturday) we start a new tournament, so it’s different. Punjab FC are a good side and have ammunition to trouble us,” Ferrando said at the pre-match news conference on Friday.
“About the last match, the AFC Cup is a different tournament, so I think it’s necessary to focus on tomorrow. Don’t think about the past, every time (I) explain the same; the most important is the present and future. We need to start well,” he added.
Ashique Kuruniyan is ruled out for the season due to a knee injury and midfielder Anirudh Thapa will miss the game due to a suspension.
Keeping in mind the 8pm kick-off, Bagan have requested the state transport department and Metro Railway to provide extended services during the home matches.
