XtraTime Web Desk: Two times’ Hero ISL champions ATK is determined to go back to the glory days after having a disappointing last season. New gaffer Steve Coppell, the tactical genius of Sanjoy Sen and some supremely talented bunch of domestic and international players are going to be the key for Sanjeev Goyenka’s team this season.
Foreigners to observe: ATK has signed Spanish midfielder Manuel Lanzarote Bruno and retained English centre-back John Johnson, while Nigerian forward Kalu Uche has been put on top as Coppell looks to strengthen the “spine” of the side. Johnson has a good understanding of Indian conditions having spent five seasons at Bengaluru FC before switching to ATK last year. Also joining the attack is the Brazilian striker Everton Santos.
Indians to observe: Among the prominent Indian signings, this season have been the likes of Balwant Singh (from Mumbai City FC), Pronay Haldar (FC Goa), Shaikh Faiaz (Mohun Bagan), Ankit Mukherjee (Mohammedan Sporting), Sena Ralte (Mumbai City FC) and Arnab Mondal & Cavin Lobo from East Bengal. With the I-League winning coach Sanjoy Sen by his side, Coppell can expect a good balance when it comes to Indian players, where Sanjoy Sen’s advice will be of great importance.
X-Factor: Assistant Coach Sanjoy Sen will no doubt be the key. His football brain, man-management and knowledge about the recruited players will be going to be the key for the Kolkata franchise this season.
Pre-season: The team had its pre-season training at the Pinatar Arena (San Pedro del Pinatar) in the Murcia region of Spain.
ATK fixtures (Till the mid-season break in December)
All matches start at 19:30 IST
Home fixtures:
Venue: Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata
September 29
ATK vs Kerala Blasters
October 4
ATK vs NorthEast United
October 26
ATK vs Chennaiyin FC
November 10
ATK vs FC Pune City
November 28
ATK vs FC Goa
December 13
ATK vs Bengaluru FC
Away fixtures:
October 17
Delhi Dynamos vs ATK
Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi
October 21
Jamshedpur FC vs ATK
Venue: JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jamshedpur
October 31
Bengaluru FC vs ATK
Venue: Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru
November 24
Mumbai City FC vs ATK
Venue: Mumbai FOotball Arena, Mumbai
December 2
Chennaiyin FC vs ATK
Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai
December 8
NorthEast United FC vs ATK
Venue: Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Arindam Bhattacharya, Avilash Paul and Debjit Majumder.
Defenders: Aiborlang Khongjee, Andre Bikey, Arnab Mondal, Gerson Vieira, John Johnson, Sena Ralte, Prabir Das and Ricky Lallawmawma and Ankit Mukherjee.
Midfielders: Cavin Lobo, El Maimouni Noussair, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Hitesh Sharma, Jayesh Rane, Komal Thatal, Malsawmzuala, Manuel Lanzarote Bruno, Pronay Halder and Sheikh Faiaz.
Forwards: Balwant Singh, Everton Santos and Kalu Uche.