After 17 video games final season, ATK Mohun Bagan (ATKMB) had scored 32 targets. That’s 12 greater than what they’ve managed within the Indian Tremendous League (ISL) this time period. Solely the underside two, NorthEast United and Jamshedpur FC, have scored much less. What’s going to rankle extra is that East Bengal, in ninth place, have 21 targets. Solely three video games in 2022-23 ISL, in its twentieth matchweek, have ended 0-0. ATKMB have featured in all of them: in opposition to Odisha FC, Chennaiyin FC and, on Thursday, Jamshedpur FC.
“If one crew has three 4 pictures on course, they’ve one objective. In our state of affairs, now we have, per match, eight or 9 pictures on course (however) now we have zero targets. We’re sad however we have to proceed to help the gamers,” mentioned ATKMB coach Juan Ferrando.
In opposition to Jamshedpur FC away, ATKMB had seven pictures on course and 15 makes an attempt. However they have been fortunate to have gotten some extent on condition that Jamshedpur FC’s Ritwik Das regarded to have been denied a penalty and Boris Singh and Daniel Chukwu had the night time’s finest 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 section hits the house stretch. Groups positioned third to sixth can 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 beneath stress. An ATKMB official mentioned the membership is speaking to Sergio Lobera, the previous FC Goa and Mumbai Metropolis FC coach who’s now in China. The official didn’t need to be named given the delicate nature of the difficulty.
“I’m all for a company tradition however, I feel now we have did not combine that with the legacy and fervour of Mohun Bagan,” mentioned Debasish Dutta, a board member at ATKMB. Having held many roles together with constructing groups that received I-League and its predecessor Nationwide Soccer League, Dutta is the final secretary at Mohun Bagan Athletic Membership which is a separate entity.
ATKMB’s efficiency this time period is just not what you’d anticipate for a membership that, in line with an official, spent almost ₹156 crore for the reason that merger with Mohun Bagan in January 2020. Since he needed to guard his place, the official didn’t need to be named.
That ATKMB don’t scrimp has been apparent of their crew constructing. In 2021, Liston Colaco joined from Hyderabad FC following what was a file switch payment of almost ₹1 crore. In accordance with 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 could be among the many prime 5 costly gamers this time period.
Colaco could be that amongst Indians with an annual wage of ₹3 crore, in line with officers at ISL golf equipment. Price roughly ₹2.25 crore, Ashique Kuruniyan is just not too far behind. Manvir Singh could 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 mentioned earlier than Thursday’s recreation, ATKMB should not have many gamers who’re younger and inexperienced.
But, 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 Metropolis FC. Largely as a result of the targets have dried up. The barren attracts got here in opposition to groups under ATKMB within the standings as have 4 of their 5 defeats.
‘May very well be psychological’
Talking concerning the lack of targets, Ferrando mentioned, “perhaps the reason being psychological or emotional. Perhaps it’s confidence.”
Given Ferrando’s desire for a false 9, he’s from Barcelona and needs scoring obligations to be shared, it match that he would dismiss the concept a No 9 would remedy the issue. “What if he’s injured? Aside from Mumbai, most gamers of the second line have scored, not No.9. Soccer is about timing and utilizing house. What’s the finest second to search out house, that’s what we have to know.”
Accidents to key gamers haven’t helped. Joni Kauko, who joined after taking part in within the 2021 Euros, was dominated out with an anterior cruciate ligament damage after six video games, Singh has missed six video games as a result of damage. However so has a dip in kind. Benched in the beginning on Thursday, Colaco, 24, has one objective and 4 assists in 17 video games. He had eight targets and 5 assists in 22 final season. In fact, Colaco’s lean run impacts the crew, mentioned Ferrando.
“Usually, the native (Indian) gamers, after they don’t have any success in a single dribble, one cross or a one in opposition to one, instantly they lose confidence. If the final match didn’t go nicely, it impacts their efficiency within the subsequent match. And that usually leaves you with eight gamers on the sphere.” Supporting them on and off the pitch is the one manner to assist them overcome this, he mentioned.
Between them, Singh and Colaco had 20 objective contributions in 2021-22 resulting in a hike in pay and new offers. That quantity is 9 this time period. Collectively, Colaco, Singh and Kuruniyan have 10 targets contributions. Mahesh Singh and VP Suhair, who would have value 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 taking part in in entrance of a crowd, mentioned the coach. Provided that Mohun Bagan and East Bengal have extra supporters than most groups in Asia, it will have an effect on their gamers extra. “In case you are not in a position to deal with the stress, play beginner or native league,” mentioned Boumous.
“It’s nice that the crew trains at Mohun Bagan however most periods are closed. Even Sailen Manna (former India captain and Asian Video games gold medallist) needed to face supporters’ ire as an official and wanted police safety to go away the membership,” mentioned Dutta. “I’m not positive now we have been in a position to convey to gamers and the employees the accountability that comes with taking part in for this shirt.”