After 17 video games final season, ATK Mohun Bagan (ATKMB) had scored 32 objectives. That is 12 greater than what they’ve managed within the Indian Super League (ISL) this time period. Only the underside two, NorthEast United and Jamshedpur FC, have scored much less. What will rankle extra is that East Bengal, in ninth place, have 21 objectives. Only three video games in 2022-23 ISL, in its twentieth matchweek, have ended 0-0. ATKMB have featured in all of them: towards Odisha FC, Chennaiyin FC and, on Thursday, Jamshedpur FC.
“If one team has three four shots on target, they have one goal. In our situation, we have, per match, eight or nine shots on target (but) we have zero goals. We are unhappy but we need to continue to support the players,” stated ATKMB coach Juan Ferrando.
Against Jamshedpur FC away, ATKMB had seven photographs on course and 15 makes an attempt. But they have been fortunate to have gotten a degree provided that Jamshedpur FC’s Ritwik Das regarded to have been denied a penalty and Boris Singh and Daniel Chukwu had the evening’s greatest probabilities.
ATKMB are fourth within the standings with 28 factors however Bengaluru FC, FC Goa, and Odisha FC may push them out of the highest six because the league part hits the house stretch. Teams positioned third to sixth will likely be within the play-off for the semi-finals with the highest two after the league getting computerized berths. A house defeat to Bengaluru FC adopted by the draw has put Ferrando below stress. An ATKMB official stated the membership is speaking to Sergio Lobera, the previous FC Goa and Mumbai City FC coach who’s now in China. The official didn’t wish to be named given the delicate nature of the problem.
“I am all for a corporate culture but, I think we have failed to integrate that with the legacy and passion of Mohun Bagan,” stated Debasish Dutta, a board member at ATKMB. Having held many roles together with constructing groups that received I-League and its predecessor National Football League, Dutta is the overall secretary at Mohun Bagan Athletic Club which is a separate entity.
ATKMB’s efficiency this time period just isn’t what you’ll count on for a membership that, in response to an official, spent almost ₹156 crore because the merger with Mohun Bagan in January 2020. Since he needed to guard his place, the official didn’t wish to be named.
That ATKMB don’t scrimp has been apparent of their staff constructing. In 2021, Liston Colaco joined from Hyderabad FC following what was a file switch price of almost ₹1 crore. According to officers at FC Goa and ATKMB, the buy-out clause in Ferrando’s contract was almost ₹1.2 crore. Hugo Boumous and 2018 World Cup squad participant Dimitri Petratos can be among the many high 5 costly gamers this time period.
Colaco can be that amongst Indians with an annual wage of ₹3 crore, in response to officers at ISL golf equipment. Worth roughly ₹2.25 crore, Ashique Kuruniyan just isn’t too far behind. Manvir Singh can be price round ₹1.5 crore. All present internationals – ATKMB have six from the squad that performed within the 2022 Asian Cup qualifiers – the trio is on long-term offers. As Boumous stated earlier than Thursday’s sport, ATKMB don’t have many gamers who’re younger and inexperienced.
Yet, ATKMB have as many ISL titles because the final three groups within the standings – zero. After ending runners-up in 2020-21, they misplaced to reigning champions Hyderabad FC final season. This time, they’re eight factors adrift of Hyderabad FC and 15 off leaders Mumbai City FC. Largely as a result of the objectives have dried up. The barren attracts got here towards groups beneath ATKMB within the standings as have 4 of their 5 defeats.
‘Could be psychological’
Speaking in regards to the lack of objectives, Ferrando stated, “maybe the reason is psychological or emotional. Maybe it is confidence.”
Given Ferrando’s desire for a false 9, he’s from Barcelona and needs scoring tasks to be shared, it match that he would dismiss the concept that a No 9 would resolve the issue. “What if he is injured? Except for Mumbai, most players of the second line have scored, not No.9. Football is about timing and using space. What is the best moment to find space, that is what we need to know.”
Injuries to key gamers haven’t helped. Joni Kauko, who joined after enjoying within the 2021 Euros, was dominated out with an anterior cruciate ligament damage after six video games, Singh has missed six video games resulting from damage. But so has a dip in kind. Benched in the beginning on Thursday, Colaco, 24, has one aim and 4 assists in 17 video games. He had eight objectives and 5 assists in 22 final season. Of course, Colaco’s lean run impacts the staff, stated Ferrando.
“Normally, the local (Indian) players, when they have no success in one dribble, one cross or a one against one, immediately they lose confidence. If the last match didn’t go well, it affects their performance in the next match. And that often leaves you with eight players on the field.” Supporting them on and off the pitch is the one manner to assist them overcome this, he stated.
Between them, Singh and Colaco had 20 aim contributions in 2021-22 resulting in a hike in pay and new offers. That quantity is 9 this time period. Together, Colaco, Singh and Kuruniyan have 10 objectives contributions. Mahesh Singh and VP Suhair, who would have price East Bengal a fraction, have 11.
Two seasons behind closed doorways too has performed its half and a few Indian gamers are struggling to take care of the stress of enjoying in entrance of a crowd, stated the coach. Given that Mohun Bagan and East Bengal have extra supporters than most groups in Asia, it could have an effect on their gamers extra. “If you are not able to handle the pressure, play amateur or local league,” stated Boumous.
“It is great that the team trains at Mohun Bagan but most sessions are closed. Even Sailen Manna (former India captain and Asian Games gold medallist) had to face supporters’ ire as an official and needed police protection to leave the club,” stated Dutta. “I am not sure we have been able to convey to players and the staff the responsibility that comes with playing for this shirt.”
Source web site: www.hindustantimes.com
