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Injury-hit ATK Mohun Bagan look to bounce back against FC Goa in a crucial game

ATK Mohun Bagan will host FC Goa at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Wednesday. ATK Mohun Bagan are in fourth place with 20 points, and FC Goa are in fifth place with 19 points, heading into this Hero Indian Super League (ISL) fixture, with both having dropped points last game week.

ATK Mohun Bagan lost 1-0 to NorthEast United FC, who hadn’t put a point on board prior to this win. Before losing to the Highlanders, ATK Mohun Bagan were on a four-game unbeaten run, and the loss directly contributed to Kerala Blasters leaping them and moving into third place on Sunday.

Some of ATK Mohun Bagan’s key players like Tiri, Joni Kauko, and Manvir Singh have suffered injuries, which hasn’t made things any easier. Head coach Juan Ferrando was optimistic about his team’s chances in the pre-match press conference despite the issues. 

“This is a part of football. For me, I’m very optimistic. I try to support [the players] because in difficult moments, it’s most important and necessary to keep going, get up, and keep working, “he said.

In the earlier fixture, FC Goa put in a stellar second-half-display with goals from Aibanbha Dohling, Fares Arnaout, and Noah Sadaoui to win 3-0 on the night. FC Goa go into this match in good shape. They are unbeaten in their last three games.

FC Goa head coach Carlos Pena acknowledged that this match will be a different test for his side in his pre-match press conference. “It [the last game against ATKMB] was one of the best performances we had in the season, and we faced the game with a lot of energy – with good concentration. We competed really well,” he said.

Both sides like to work the goal by stringing together many passes, which should make for an intriguing match. FC Goa sit in second place on the successful passes metric with 4225 in 11 games. ATK Mohun Bagan are just behind them with 3518 successful passes in 11 games. Both sides pack a punch in the forward areas. 

Australian forward Dimitri Petratos has been the star man for ATK Mohun Bagan with four goals and five assists. Noah Sadaoui has done a similar job for FC Goa, with five goals and four assists. The two ISL stars will most likely break the deadlock for their sides in this match.

ATK Mohun Bagan have the better head-to-head record in this fixture, with three wins, one loss, and one draw. They’ve also got the home advantage in this match but will be aware of how things played out the last time they faced FC Goa.