Mumbai, Dec 28:Juan Ferrando will find himself in familiar surroundings, albeit in different colours as he vows to put emotions aside when ATK MohunBagan take on FC Goa in the 2021-22 Indian Super League (ISL) at the PJN Stadium in Fatorda on Wednesday.
Ferrando switched allegiances from Goa to ATKMB earlier this month after Antonio Lopez Habas parted ways with the Mariners on the back of a few disappointing results.
Ferrando got off to a winning start as the green and maroon brigade beat NorthEast United 3-2 but against FC Goa, the Spaniard will be up against a side he knows like the back of his hand.Derrick Pereira took over from Ferrando and has worked with the latter closely at Goa but on Wednesday the seasoned Indian tactician will aim to get the better of his former colleague in order to get Goa’s ship back in order. For the Mariners, Ferrando’s in-depth knowledge of the opponents will help immensely.
The 40-year old will also have spent a lot of time with his new team at the training park and is expected to lay out his blueprint on them. In his first match in charge of ATKMB, the Mariners’ played with more freedom and put on one of their best-attacking displays this season. Ferrando will want an improvement especially when it comes to defending from set-pieces.
They have already conceded 15 goals in their 7 matches so far.
A particular cause for concern of late has been their defending in set-piece situations. Of the 15 goals they have conceded this season, nine have come from set pieces. No team has shipped more goals from set-pieces this season.
