MARGAO (Goa): Bengaluru FC will face ATK Mohun Bagan in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Fatorda Stadium here on Monday.
Carles Cuadrat’s side are third on points, one below ATK Mohun Bagan, and the Spaniard admits the chance to climb the table at the expense of the Kolkata side will serve as motivation for his boys.
However, he mentioned that there were a few other factors that will play a role in the build-up to the clash.
“There’s more than just one motivating factor as we get ready to play ATKMB. They are the team that put us out in the semifinal last season. They are also a team that will fight for the AFC Champions League and AFC Cup slots. That aside, just the one point separates us. So, it’s good to come up against them at this stage, in what I am sure will be a very difficult challenge,” said Cuadrat.
ATKMB, with Antonio Habas at the helm, got their season off to a perfect start, picking up nine points from their first three games before Jamshedpur dented their run with a 2-1 win over the champions.
ATKMB then went on to draw against Hyderabad, before nicking three more points against Goa, to sit in second position on the table.
Bengaluru, meanwhile, have been picking momentum with three wins in their last four games, and along with Hyderabad, are one of the only two sides to yet taste defeat this season.
However, Cuadarat is aware of what Bengaluru will be up against on Monday.
“ATK Mohun Bagan pose a very physical challenge, they have a team with very tough players. We know about them; they have a few big bodies and play with a high tempo. We saw in their game against FC Goa how their players played as a compact unit and tried to take advantage of counter-attacks and open spaces.”
Earlier on Sunday, the club put out an update on Ashique Kuruniyan who had suffered multiple fractures to his face after a collision during the win over Odisha FC, saying he had undergone a successful surgery in Bengaluru and that his condition would be closely monitored over the coming days.
