ISL 2022-23: We need to work as a team in defense and attack – Juan Ferrando

ATK Mohun Bagan head coach Juan Ferrando admitted that they need to work as a team on their defense as well as the attack in the upcoming season of Hero Indian Super League. The Spaniard is disappointed with the result of the AFC Cup and the Durand Cup. The Mariners had lost to Kuala Lumpur FC by 3-1 in the inter-zonal semifinals of the AFC Cup.

Earlier in the season, Rajasthan United had beaten ATK Mohun Bagan by 3-2 in the group stage of the Durand Cup. The Mariners won two out of their four matches in Group C of the tournament while they drew one and lost one to finish at third place in the table. Thus, they could not qualify for the quarterfinal stages.

Juan Ferrando said while talking to the official website of Hero ISL, “Of course, we are disappointed, especially in the AFC cup. But it’s time to think about the present and future. I don’t think the opponent was better than us in the game, we need to improve in some details like set pieces and transitions.”

Reflecting on Florentin Pogba and Brandan Hamil’s role in the team, Ferrando said, “Pogba and Hamil help the team for sure. They are very good professionals and will be ready to support the team on and off the field. But don’t forget we are a team, so we need to work as a team in defense and attack.”

Ferrando is also hopeful that Dimitrios Petratos will be able to deliver the goods for the team in the upcoming season.

The Spaniard added, “Dimitrios is 100% ready. He has a lot of quality and his performance now (in training) is very good. We hope he can show his talent in every match.”

Ferrando feels players like Ashish Rai, Ashique Kuruniyan, Lalrinliana Hnamte, and Mohammed Ali Fardin are the future of Indian football and the job of the team’s think tank is to manage their workload.

He said, “Our goal as a staff is to protect them and work in one way. They are the future and it is necessary to find the best moments for them. Of course, the experienced players are working like teachers in every training session.”

ATK Mohun Bagan will begin their ISL 2022-23 campaign against Chennayin FC at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata on the 10th of October.

ATK Mohun Bagan full squad

Goalkeepers: Arsh Anwar Shaikh, Debnath Mondal, Vishal Kaith.

Defenders: Ashutosh Mehta, Asish Rai, Brendan Hamill, Gursimrat Singh Gill, Tiri, Florentin Pogba, Pritam Kotal, Ravi Rana, Subhasish Bose, Sumit Rathi, Deepak Tangri.

Midfielders: Abhishek Suryavanshi, Carl McHugh, Engson Ningombam, Joni Kauko, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Lenny Rodrigues, Ashique Kuruniyan, Pronay Halder.

Forwards: Dimitrios Petratos, Hugo Boumous, Kiyan Giri, Liston Colaco, Manvir Singh.