KOLKATA: Consider Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson or Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona. These teams had one thing in common: consistency. Closer home, Atletico de Kolkata have displayed the same feature for three seasons now, making the knockout stage every time.
The key to success for almost all teams is continuity. Not only in terms of personnel, but also in adhering to a certain style of play. Under former coach Antonio Lopez Habas, ATK played on the counter, as the team soaked up the pressure from the opposition and went after them when they entered Kolkata’s half.
The side under incumbent Jose Molina follow the same principle. That has helped, according to midfielder Borja Fernandez. “Both coaches have things in common and some differences. But, their style is the same as they follow the Spanish principle of possession-based football,” said the Spaniard, who has been a part of ATK since the first season.
Since ISL allows up to six foreigners in the playing XI, most teams tend to focus a lot on foreign recruits. Despite the prevalent tendency of squad-overhaul ahead of a new season, ATK have refrained from doing that. They have also been able to retain their core group of imports.
Apart from Borja, Iain Hume, Jose Luis Espinosa Arroyo (Tiri), Sameehg Doutie and Ofentse Nato are the four foreigners the franchise have retained from last season. Even Habas alluded to this fact. “Kolkata have managed to retain 80 per cent of the same squad as last season, including foreigners. This has definitely helped them this time around.”
The inaugural champions have always prided themselves on having a strong defence that has helped churn out results consistently. Despite not playing the best football, they have always managed to get results in their favour. The team has lost only twice this time and nine times overall, the lowest among all.
“I think momentum is key. Not losing many matches has helped us keep up the good work. Losing lowers the confidence level of players,” Molina said.
This year, the normally resolute defence has leaked silly goals, leading to a greater emphasis on attack. “We have the second-best record when it comes to the number of shots on target (64). We may not have scored many goals, but creating opportunities is paramount,” said Molina.
Belencoso gaffes
ATK paid for profligacy in front of goal as they settled for a 0-0 draw against FC Pune City at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium on Friday. ATK are placed third with 20 points, and will play their crucial second-leg semifinal battle away. Habas’ Pune were already out of the reckoning for the semifinals, and ended sixth.
The match will be remembered for ATK frontman Juan Belencoso’s failure to convert three simple chances, each easier than the previous. The third, from point-blank range in the 77th minute, drew a loud groan from the 12,420 people present. This was ATK’s seventh draw and worst home record in the ISL.
ayantan@newindianexpress.com