Indian Super League (ISL) side, ATK Mohun Bagan head coach, Juan Ferrando has reiterated that they are not the favourites to progress from their group as they prepare to start their AFC Cup 2022 campaign.
ATK Mohun Bagan have been drawn in Group D of the 2022 AFC Cup along with fellow Indian side, Gokulam Kerala FC, Bangladesh Premier League champions, Bashundhara Kings and Maziya who are the winners of the Maldives’ Dhivehi Premier League.
Despite playing at home in the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata and with a crowd capacity of 40,000 allowed for the games – Ferrando does not believe that his side go into the group games as the favourites.
‘Makes us wanna dribble dribble, you know’ ??
Preparations continue for our AFC Cup campaign ?♥️#ATKMohunBagan #JoyMohunBagan #AmraSobujMaroon #AFCCup2022 #MarinersInAsia pic.twitter.com/dxPhr6hbYl
— ATK Mohun Bagan FC (@atkmohunbaganfc) May 16, 2022
“We’re happy with the expectations. But we are not favourites. All the other three teams are champions (in their respective leagues) but we are not. We finished in third position in the last ISL. Maybe the expectations are high because ATKMB have a big name and a very good squad, this is my point of view,” he said at a press conference.
“Of course, it’s amazing to play all our matches at home. The supporters are close to the team, players. It’s advantage yes, but on the pitch it’s XI versus XI. We have a lot of respect for all the three teams — they are all champions in their respective leagues,” the Spaniard added.
The Mariners will open their campaign against Gokulam Kerala FC on Wednesday, 18 May with the match scheduled to kick-off at 4:30pm IST.
