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ISL Clubs Preview: ATK Mohun Bagan

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By Nirmalya Misra
17 November 2021

ATK Mohun Bagan FC’s story so far has been fascinating, to say the least. It all began when the owners of the now-defunct ATK FC bought majority stakes of Mohun Bagan Athletic Club, one of India’s oldest and most successful clubs. The merger hasn’t been a sweet one till now, with the club losing out on both the AFC Champions League place and the ISL title last season.


A lot of cash was splashed by the owners to assemble a star-studded squad, bringing in players like Hugo Boumous, Liston Colaco, Ashutosh Mehta, and Amrinder Singh among others. Joni Kauko was brought in straight after playing in Euro 2020 for Finland. A lot of players left as well including the likes of Arindam Bhattacharya and Pronay Halder, who were key members.


COACH AND PREFERRED FORMATION

Antonio Habas has been the most successful coach in the ISL, winning it 3 times with ATK FC. After all the success, it is his style of play that comes under the scanner quite often. His statements on the Durand Cup and the Calcutta Football League were controversial, to say the least. However, with the kind of squad he has, he can play whichever style he wants. Antonio Lopez Habas prefers a 3-5-2 system, something which he was unable to implement last season after the injury to Michael Soosairaj and Prabir Das being off form. However, with both of them back, he can play in a 3-5-2. In the team's preferred starting 11, Manvir will get to play as a striker alongside Roy Krishna. ATK Mohun Bagan have gone for a slightly attacking lineup and have thus chosen Joni Kauko in place of Carl McHugh. 

STRENGTHS

The squad of ATK Mohun Bagan has the potential to be one of the best ever in the history of the ISL. We would be seeing one of ISL’s best-ever playmakers and one of ISL’s best-ever goalscorers in the same team. With Hugo Boumous and Roy Krishna, their squad boasts of having Tiri, Carl McHugh, Joni Kauko, and David Williams, all of who can be match-winners. Their Indian contingent is quite good as well with the likes of Pritam Kotal, Subhasis Bose, Amrinder Singh, and Manvir Singh among others. The return of Michael Soosairaj and Prabir Das is also a good sign for Antonio Habas’s side.

In defence, Tiri will be playing as a Central defender along with Subhashish Bose and Pritam (or Ashutosh/Prabir) on left and right.

Lenny and Tangri will help the defence department. Kauko will play as a chain connecting attack and defence. Hugo Boumous will help the attack and play as a playmaker. He will play a pivotal role in the team's attack. 

To help the attack, Soosairaj Michael who recovered from injury and their new young prospect Bidyananda will play on left and right wings. 

Fijian Roy Krishna and Manvir will players as centre forwards. The duo is very keen in ruining the opposition defence and score goals.

WEAKNESS

Though there is no much weakness, there are something that creates fear in the minds of the team. Especially some departures,  them most is Sandesh Jhingan. Sandesh Jhingan’s exit will hurt them the most, especially considering the four foreigner rule in the ISL. Also, Arindam's exit to an extent. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT

Players such as Sumit Rathi, Deepak Tangri, Ricky Shabong, Kiyan Nassiri, Ravi Rana, Engson Singh, and Abhisekh Suryavanshi form a crop of young talent who will be with the squad. As many players have left ATK Mohun Bagan, this might be the time to use these young players.

PROBABLE FINISH

After everything that has happened in the past one year, Habas would know that another trophyless season would see him sacked. Indian football fans, especially after the Nasaf disaster have started underrating ATK Mohun Bagan but make no mistake about it, they will be up there fighting for both the league shield and the ISL trophy. Expecting a top 4 finish from this squad. With all the off-field controversy aside, players will have to perform and repay the faith shown in them by the coach and the owners. 

SQUAD

Goalkeepers

Amrinder Singh 
Arsh Anwer Shaikh 
Avilash Paul 

Defenders

Ashutosh Mehta 
Gursimrat Singh Gill 
Tiri 
Prabir Das 
Pritam Kotal 
Ravi Rana 
Ricky Shabong 
Subhasish Bose 
Sumit Rathi 

Midfielders

Abhishek Suryavanshi 
Bidyananda Ningthoujam 
Carl McHugh 
Deepak Tangri 
Engson Ningombam 
Joni Kauko 
Lenny Rodrigues 
Sekh Sahil 
Soosai Micheal 

Forwards

David Williams 
Hugo Boumous 
Kiyan Giri 
Liston Colaco 
Manvir Singh 
Roy Krishna 

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