ISL 2016: More interested in team performance than individuals, says Atletico de Kolkata coach Jose Molina
Atletico de Kolkata play their first away game against Kerala Blasters in Cochin and they will be hoping for a better result after they drew with Chennaiyin FC on their home turf.
When asked what will be the possible game plan Atletico will adopt after their home match draw against Chennaiyin FC and about their first away game, coach Jose Molina stated that his team will be eyeing a win and will work harder for it. ”Football is same to me, whether it is a home match or an away match, the plan will be all same, we have a good defence and will play to win it. It’s my first time to Kerala, though there will be 50000 opposition fans cheering them it will be good to play under such a crowd.”
Also read: ISL 2016: Atletico de Kolkata 2-2 Chennaiyin FC - 5 talking points
Since half of his players were only able to join the squad in the latter stages, questions were asked whether it will be a problem for Atletico and Molina replied that every coach and team would wish to have all the players available for them from the beginning, but his side has been training together for around 12 days now and are playing well as a united.
He was quoted as saying, “To a coach to a team its best to have the whole team from beginning, we have some players late in the camp but we are now 10-12 days training with them so it was a problem but it’s not a problem anymore.”
When questioned whether Atletico will plan their attacks down the left flank since Blasters have their problems at the left-back slot, Molina replied, “I think every team has a weakness, and we know something about Kerala Blasters now, we will try to take advantage of some situations but most important for us is our team.”
A team functioning together is important for Molina
Sameehg Doutie was the saviour for the Kolkata side in the last match and when Molina was asked whether the team is setting their game plan around the South African midfielder replied, “I think Doutie did a great job for the team, he scored a goal and provided the penalty but you cannot play around a single player if they have good defence around him what will we do, to me a team is 11 players playing together defending together attacking together, every player has their obligations to do if one doesn’t do it then it is a problem for the team.”
The Spanish-born Molina was finding it difficult to cope up with the English questions in the press conference and when asked whether the language is acting as any barrier for him to convey his thoughts to the team, Molina was quick to say, “I was coaching in Hong Kong that helped me to improve my English but in dressing room it is different, if they don’t understand something they can tell me and also our assistant coach Roy he can explain in Indian language so that’s not a problem.”
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