Back
Peter Green - October 24, 2018
ATK vs Chennaiyin FC
Indian Super League
Date: Friday, 26 October 2018
Kick-Off at 15:00 UK/ 16:00 CET/19:30 IST
Venue: Salt Lake Stadium (Kolkata).
Only two teams have won the ISL in its 4 seasons. They will come face to face for the first time this season in Salt Lake Stadium Kolkata.
ATK has spent the most in this seasons transfer window. They brought in Manuel Lanzarote who played a pivotal role in FC Goa’s performance last season. But things did not start well for the 2 time champions.
Lanza fell short of expectations and the fans of ATK, one of the best in the country, were feeling worried. After a disastrous season in 2017 they couldn’t see their team lose again.
Two defeats in opening matches was not foreseen by Steve Coppell. He started to change personnel and tactics and the team won their first game in the league against Delhi Dynamos away from home.
The last action for them was a draw to Jamshedpur with Lanza fining the net. That goal would have given him great confidence and fans hope more goals will follow.
The reigning champions are so in trouble. They are at the bottom of the table with all their 3 matches lost.
The previous game against Northeast was a shocker. John Gregory’s side took a 2-0 lead and surprisingly went drawn 3-3 inside 45 minutes. Rowllin Borges scored another for the Highlanders and the game finished 4-3.
Gregory and the owner Abhishek Bachchan will want their team to go back to last season’s form and once again bring the title home. If the team does not act fast their season may end early.
ATK with their newfound form will have the upper hand. Playing at home will be an added advantage for Coppell’s side. With Lanza starting to find the goals the midfield will be interesting.
Chennaiyin have to improve on their defense big time. Mailson and Calderon are their shadows from last season. Jeje may come on as a substitute like the last game.
