This game, though, will have more at stake than just three points as the Gaurs go head-on against former FC Goa head coach Juan Ferrando.
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Derrick Pereira’s time as the head coach of FC Goa started off with a well-earned point against Odisha FC. Now the former Indian international will look for the Gaurs to claim their third win of the Indian Super League season when they take on ATK Mohun Bagan on Wednesday night. This game, though, will have more at stake than just three points as they go head-on against former FC Goa head coach Juan Ferrando, who shifted his allegiance in a sudden move last week. The Gaurs are recovering from a horrendous start to the season after losing all of their opening three games. A shift in formation and other subtle changes have seen the Men in Orange eke out 8 points from their 4 games.
Ferrando has taken over the reins at ATK Mohun Bagan. He started off his tenure with the Mariners with a 3-2 win over NorthEast United, arresting a 4-game period over which they had failed to register a win. The Spaniard, though, should be worried about the Mariners’ form at the back, having conceded 15 goals – highest amongst all teams in the top 8. Up against a side and personnel that are familiar to him, Ferrando will look to draw up a blueprint to get ATK Mohun Bagan back towards the top end of the table.
It’s going to be a pulsating encounter at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatoda on Wednesday night when these two teams clash. Speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of their Wednesday night game against ATK Mohun Bagan, Derrick Pereira said, “He (Juan Ferrando) knows the players in and out. He has been working with them over the last one and half years. However, we know as well what he is going to bring to the table. We know how ATK Mohun Bagan used to play earlier and how they are going to play now.”
“We will definitely have a plan in place to counter that. For tomorrow’s match, our boys are focussed, determined and motivated to put up a good performance. We are not going to compromise on our philosophy. We will continue to look to play attacking football.”
Pereira began his time as the new head coach with a well-earned point against Odisha FC, a tie that could have swung both ways. Talking about his first game in charge, the 59-year-old said, “I didn’t want to make many changes as the team had been doing well for the three matches leading up to the last game.”
