ATKMB, BFC RENEW RIVALRY
ISL Finalists Keen To End Fortune-fluctuating Campaign on High
- Margo: ATK Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC have been here and done that before.
- The final stage is nothing new either for the Kolkata giants or the Bengaluru side. They've crossed swords against each other before, played some memorable games, and as they meet again in the final of the Indian Super League (ISL) at Fatora on Saturday, there's a sense that another thriller is in store.
- Just look at how they made it to the final: Bengaluru out- smarted League winners Mumbai City in the semis, while ATK Mohun Bagan won the cat-and-mouse game against defending champions Hyderabad FC.
- Both needed penalties against the higher-ranked opponents to qualify for the final.
- "I think this is another derby for us," said ATK Mohun Bagan captain Pritam Kotal, who has won and lost a final at Fatora in the last three years. "It's a different (kind of) derby and there will be individual battles because there are many former teammates now at Bengaluru. We will try to give our best."
- In the 2014-15 I-League, Bagan and Bengaluru met in the title-deciding match in the final round at Sree Kanteerava stadium, and the visitors scored a late equalizing goal to win the championship by two points. The next season, Bengaluru topped Bagan by two points to pocket the title.
- "I think first of all we are not thinking about the rivalry, but in the last 10 years of our history, our toughest opponent has been Mohun Bagan," said Bengaluru captain Sunil Chhetri. "We just want to win the final. We keep the noise of rivalry, big team, away and focus on winning."
- Bengaluru have risen from the ashes after a difficult start to the season. They are a transformed unit in the second stage of the league, wining 10 games in a row, and will look to carry on with the momentum in the all-important clash.
- "What kept us going is belief," said Bengaluru coach Sitrophy," said Ferrando. mon Grayson. "Belief in my self that I was doing the right thing, belief that the players would understand that I was doing the right thing and they would eventually get the results they deserve, and the belief that they can carry the instructions to get the results. The belief was massive."
- ATK Mohun Bagan, too, had plenty of belief even when things did not go their way.
- Coach Juan Ferrando had an excellent squad at his dispoal but injuries to key players like Florentin Pogba, Tiri, Deepak Tangri and Joni Kauko, who was ruled out after just six games, left them crippled.
- Then there was that big psychological blow on Christmas eve as they lost against Northeast United, who did not win any other game in their entire campaign.
- Far from dejected, Ferrando went up to the team's director the next day and told him to stop worrying. ATKMB, the Spanish coach said, would play the final. "We trust in our plan. It is the final and in these 90 minutes, it is very important to do the best. I have confidence that players can bring the best moment of the season and get the trophy," said Ferrando.
- The teams have won the away fixtures against each other in the league stage, and it will be interesting to see who has the last laugh at a neutral venue which is hosting the final for the fourth successive year.