The Boss Discusses A Hard Fought Win Against Kolkata As Blues Stage Brilliant Comeback In City Of Joy

The turning point…

I think it was vital to get the equaliser before half-time. Miku’s goal was very important and was part of my team-talk during the break. I was thinking about making some substitutions since I wasn’t happy with certain things, but then one moment changed everything. The ability to score from that area changed our position going into the second half where it was about building on that confidence. Once we scored the second early on in the second half, it was a different game. So yes, the first goal on the stroke of half time was definitely the turning point.

On the team’s performance…

Today was a very good lesson for us and we can learn a lot from this game, because we had to fight a lot for the three points. ATK was a team that demanded a lot of concentration and focus on defense. May be the experience of playing Barca B and Villarreal B in the pre-season has helped us today because our defensive play was tested. They are a team that has quality in their attack and would have hurt us even if we would’ve made a small mistake in the defense. I’m very happy with the work put in and the attitude shown by the boys.

On the sturdy defense in the final minutes of the game…

Leading 2-1, we should’ve taken more chances with the possession we had to increase the gap. Going into the final minutes with just a one goal lead isn’t easy with ATK putting so many bodies up front. But I’m happy that we didn’t allow them to score. It happened to us against Jamshedpur when we pushed up looking for a goal and conceded an equalizer at the back in the last minute. Considering we were very careful of that aspect in this game, the result definitely gives us a strong boost.

On whether ATK’s goal scored was due to a defensive error…

Yes. We worked a lot on our defensive lines and I think it was a defensive error from our side. Nishu should have been closer to the central defenders but I will have to check on it. That apart, it was a very good pass from Everton and an equally good finish from Komal.

On the win boosting confidence going into upcoming away matches…

We know that we will have tough games because Kerala and Goa are very good teams. I think it has been a good preparation for those games. My team has been working really hard to earn the three points and let’s see if we can implement whatever we have learnt in the first two away games as a team.