Under Antonio Habas, ATK Mohun Bagan has always been a force to be reckoned with. The Habas are noted for their defensive tenacity and battling spirit. However, ATK Mohun Bagan has struggled on all fronts this season, and Antonio Habas’ hardest task in his Indian Super League managing career may be ahead of him.
ATK Mohun Bagan are currently in fifth place in the table with six points from four games following their 1-2 loss to Jamshedpur FC. They’ve already lost two games in a row, and the number of goals conceded – nine — is even more concerning.
Dangerous Condition of ATKMB
ATK Mohun Bagan has lost both games after winning the Kolkata Derby against SC East Bengal. So far, they’ve given up nine goals.
ATK Mohun Bagan was at their worst against defending champions Mumbai City FC, and the scoreline might have been anything. The final score was 5-1 in Mumbai’s favor. While Antonio Habas wished for his team to recover, the Red Miners were not to be defeated.
After the game, Habas said: “We are not fantastic. I think we have to improve in the next matches.” He also added: “I’m not thinking about it now much. For now, it’s impossible to solve the past two matches. We have to think about the next and improve more evidently.”
This isn’t ATK Mohun Bagan’s only misfortune this season; they were thrashed 6-0 by FC Nasaf in the AFC Cup.
Questions Raised for Poor Performance
Antonio Habas has slammed the caliber of refereeing in the competition when things did not go his way. The Spaniard said: “I don’t think that because in the first two matches the team had good performances, not after that. Because a lot of things had influenced the final score.”
He further explained: “We have to respect the technical staff on the bench (as referees). I’m very very angry about that because we are professionals and also working for getting a good threshold for the club but sometimes it’s very difficult.”
However, Antonio Habas and his ATK Mohun Bagan club will be aware that their recent performances have been lacking and that they must improve. However, with the ISL schedule as tight as it is now, coaches have little opportunity to address concerns on the training ground.
One thing is certain: this could be Antonio Habas’ most difficult management test to date in the ISL. The way the Spanish tactician addresses these chinks in his armor will have a big impact on where his ATK Mohun Bagan side finishes the season.
Read: Srinjoy Bose, the secretary of Mohun Bagan, has resigned due to dissatisfaction with the merger
