Mohun Bagan Super Giant will kick off their 2023 AFC Cup Preliminary Round campaign against Machhindra FC on Wednesday, August 16. The team of Juan Ferrando is coming off a loss against East Bengal in the Kolkata Derby. However, coach Ferrando has asked the fans to hold their patience as they hope to rebound with a huge win to advance in the qualifying stages
“It’s necessary to trust in the process and go step by step,” said Juan Ferrando ahead of the game.
‘ Main focus is AFC’ Juan Ferrando sets priorities straight after Kolkata Derby…
A derby defeat is not the best way to prepare for Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s AFC Cup campaign. However, coach Juan Ferrando stated on Monday that the star-studded squad needs “more time” to gel.
Despite having a star-studded squad, the Indian Super League (ISL) champions fell short of expectations. On Saturday, they were defeated 0-1 by arch-rivals East Bengal in a Durand Cup rivalry, snapping an eight-match winning streak spanning four years.
“We can’t change the past, we try to learn and improve,” added he.
National team players include Anirudh Thapa, Sahal Abdul Samad, Ashique Kuruniyan, Liston Colaco, Manvir Singh, and Anwar Ali. It also features a strong foreign lineup, including Jason Cummings, Armando Sadiku, Dimitri Petratos, and Hugo Boumous.
MBSG 0-1 EB: Nandhakumar Sekar guides Red & Gold to first Kolkata Derby…
However, it has yet to gel as a unit and has appeared rusty in the three games in the season-opening Durand Cup.
“The players like Cummings, Armando came last week, they need time to adapt. I know everyone is excited about Cummings and Armando. It’s normal. They players need time and are training to work like a team.” said the Spainiard.
“Don’t forget, it’s difficult to come to India, the mentality, the culture, a lot of things change. It’s necessary to trust in the process and go step by step.”
“Game by game, we will improve. The most important thing is the process. I’m sure in the next match our performance would be much better,” he added.
It has also recruited its former head coach, Antonio Lopez Habas, to join the team think tank. He is the most successful ISL coach, having as technical director led the former ATK FC to two ISL titles and one runner-up position. Mohun Bagan will seek to defeat the underdog Nepali team in front of a raucous VYBK crowd.
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