Kolkata : With the second Test match between India and New Zealand already underway at the Eden Gardens, the Calcuttans are up for yet another treat before the Pujas as the inaugural ISL champions Atletico de Kolkata are set to take on the defending champions, Chennaiyin FC at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium tomorrow in what will be the second ISL match of the season.
Team Summary
Atletico de Kolkata: The 2014 champions and last year’s semi-finalists, Atletico de Kolkata (ATK) is one of the major forces to reckon with at the Hero Indian Super League. ATK was known for its consistency in the inaugural two editions of the coveted Indian competition. However, how the footballers perform under a new set of brains is yet to be seen. With the departure of Antonio Lopez Habas and his coaching staff, the Calcutta-based side had successfully roped in former Atletico Madrid goalkeeper, Jose Molina. The 46-year-old Spaniard previously had coaching stints at clubs such as Getafe B and Villarreal before picking up the ATK baton off the hands of Antonio Lopez Habas.
Chennaiyin FC: The defending champions, Chennaiyin FC- on the other hand- will definitely try to pick the momentum up from where they had left it the previous season. With Marco Materazzi at the helm of the team for the third successive year, Chennaiyin FC’s tactical front seems to be in a pair of extremely safe hands. After all- like the home team, ATK- the visitors, too, believe in the mantra of consistency. All being said and done, even the most hardcore Chennaiyin FC fan cannot deny the fact that absence of footballers like Elano and Stiven Mendoza might turn out to be a problem this year.
Head-to-Head
Total matches: 6
Atletico de Kolkata: 3
Chennaiyin FC: 1
Draw: 2
New Signings
Atletico de Kolkata: Shilton Paul, Debjit Majumder, Dani Mallo Castro, Pritam Kotal, Keegan Pereira, Kinshuk Debnath, Prabir Das, Pablo Gallardo, Robert Lalthlamuana, Bidyananda Singh, Stephen Pearson, Bikash Jairu, Bikramjit Singh, Lalrindika Ralte, Abhinash Ruidas and Juan Belencoso.
Chennaiyin FC: Duwayne Kerr, Eli Sabia, Jerry Lalrinzuala, John Arne Riise, Nallappan Mohanraj, Baljit Sahni, Hans Mulder, Siam Hanghal, Uttam Rai, Davide Succi, Maurizio Peluso, Dudu Omagbemi and Bedashwor Singh.
Full Squad
Atletico de Kolkata: Head Coach: Jose Francisco Molina, Goalkeepers: Shilton Paul, Debjit Majumder and Dani Mallo Castro, Defenders: Tiri, Arnab Mondal, Pritam Kotal, Keegan Pereira, Kinshuk Debnath, Prabir Das, Pablo Gallardo and Robert Lalthlamuana, Midfielders: Borja Fernandez, Ofentse Nato, Javier Lara Grande, Sameehg Doutie, Stephen Pearson, Bikash Jairu, Bikramjit Singh, Lalrindika Ralte, Sheikh Jewel Raja, Abhinash Ruidas and Bidyananda Singh and Forwards: Helder Postiga, Iain Hume and Juan Belencoso.
Chennaiyin FC: Head Coach: Marco Materazzi, Goalkeepers: Karanjit Singh, Pawan Kumar and Duwayne Kerr, Defenders: Bernard Mendy, Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Nallappan Mohanraj, Eli Sabia, Eder Monterio, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Abhishek Das and John Arne Riise, Midfielders: Baljit Sahni, Hans Mulder, Manuele Blasi, Thoi Singh, Raphael Augusto, Harmanjot Singh Khabra and Dhanpal Ganesh and Forwards: Davide Succi, Maurizio Peluso, Bedashwor Singh, Uttam Rai and Jeje Lalpekhlua.
Key Battles
Arnab Mondal vs. Jeje Lalpekhlua:
Arnab Mondal who has been a part of the Atletico de Kolkata squad since the inception of ISL in 2014 will be up against his India teammate, Jeje Lalpekhlua on Sunday here in Kolkata. One of the most prolific defenders of his generation, Mondal won’t take Jeje lightly. The 25-year-old Chennaiyin FC forward has impressed the like of Marco Materazzi with his style, skills, work ethic and temperament so much that the Italian has hailed him as the most promising face of Indian football.
Iain Hume vs. Bernard Mendy:
The Canadian goal-machine, Iain Hume netted as many as eleven goals in his very first season with Atletico de Kolkata last year. The former Leicester City forward will look forward to carry on his goal-scoring spree here at Rabindra Sarobar Stadium in Kolkata only after he can cross the great Chennaiyin hurdle in the form of Bernard Mendy. Mendy’s ability to play naturally on both the sides of the field particularly at the defensive end was the major X-factor as far as Chennaiyin FC’s dream run last year was concerned.
Odds
The odds are 55-45 in favour of Atletico de Kolkata.