ISL: Atletico de Kolkata vs FC Goa - 5 talking points

All the Atletico de Kolkata (ATK) fans can breathe a huge sigh of relief. After leading the league table for eight rounds, a fourth place finish was supposed to be a formality. Countless number of lacklustre performances and injuries resulted in dismal form. The morale was on an all-time low and qualification for the semis seemed difficult.However, after drawing 1-1 with FC Goa, the semi final spot was sealed. The team did not win, but the display was radically different. The players seemed highly motivated and the team came back from a one goal deficit.Let us take a look at the top 5 factors which saw ATK through to the semis.

#1 The starting 11 was attack-minded

It was an attack minded starting 11 that set the game rolling.

During the last few games, a look at the starting line-up could tell the mentality of the team. An utterly defensive clout would be set out on the field. Consequently, the game would be slothful and victories were hard to come by. Three defensive midfielders in the form of Ofentse Nato, Borja Fernandes and Rakesh Masih would inevitably find it hard to create goals.

It was a different tale against Goa. With Masih on the bench, Baljit Sahni was given a start. So it was Nato and Borja as the defensive screen; Baljit Sahni, Jakub Podany and Mohammed Rafi were the attacking midfielders. The outlook was different at the outset and it was a much more offensive approach. This certainly helped in orchestrating the attacks and troubling the opposition.