After a 14-day hiatus from Hero ISL fixtures, Odisha FC prepare to take on wounded ATK Mohun Bagan. The match will take place on 28th January 2023 at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata at 7:30 IST.
When Juggernauts faced ATK Mohun Bagan in the reverse fixture at Kalinga, Odisha FC saw a majority of the possession in the first half but failed to score at the end of 90 minutes. They played out a goalless draw for the first time in the season.
As of now, ATKMB are 4th in the Hero ISL points table, two points ahead of the Juggernauts, who are in 6th place with 22 points and has won 7, lost 6 and drawn 1 game so far this season. Both teams went head-to-head on 5 occasions in the Hero ISL. Out of which, ATKMB has won 2 and 3 games ended in a draw.
Talking about the break, Josep Gombau mentioned, ” We had a long 14 days gap after our game against Bengaluru FC, now it’s the moment to take very concentrate on the last six-game that we have. There are the most important games for the season and we try to finish the games in a good position and try to reach the top of the table, this is the only aim for us and we are working very hard to finish last these games in a good way. “
“Josep Gombau:” We are preparing very hard as we have the next 4 games in 14 days which are almost a gap of 5 to 6 days. It will be a tough time but every game is equal for us, we are working hard and all the players on our team are available so our team mentality is very strong, and we are all focused as we are going into this game against ATK Mohun Bagan. We need to start this journey with this strong mentality, ” the head coach further added.
Meanwhile, defender Osama Malik accompanied the head at the pre-match press conference. Talking about the upcoming game, Osama said, ” Every game is fun for us but in football, you don’t know what will happen we are trying our best for these 6 games. It’s been wonderful to train under the coach. Individually my goal is to help the team as much as I could and in the team, we go through minimum fouls and collect maximum goals. ATKMB is a very good team and it will be a tough game but we are going to give our best and try to collect all three points. ”
Juan Ferrando’s side comes into this game after sharing spoils in a goalless game against Chennaiyin FC, while Josep Gombau’s side has a strong start in this season and coming into this game after failing to collect any points from Bengaluru FC as they lost 3-1 at Bengaluru. Although the Juggernauts got a few more days to prepare, the game is likely to be tightly contested.
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