Habas rules out Postiga featuring against Delhi today

Postiga celebrates after scoring in ISL 2 opener

Having scored two goals on his ISL debut, Helder Postiga, Atletico de Kolkata’s marquee signing for this season got his franchisee to a dream start; one which led them to an emphatic win against Chennaiyin FC and reasserted them as favourites to retain their title.

While putting away the second of his goals that night though, the Portuguese striker pulled his hamstring and hasn't featured for the team since. His mates meanwhile haven't managed to sustain the winning momentum and currently lie 4th in the points table. More alarmingly they have lost 4 games this season, looking far less assured than what they did last year. Coach Antonio Habas reassured a media gathering ahead of their next game against Delhi Dynamos that Postiga is finally fit again and the team is ready to turn around their yo-yo form now.

Excerpts from the session:

Hello Helder, its great to have you back. Are you fully fit now?

Postiga- In this moment, i am in the last phase of my recovery. I hope its done as quickly as possible. Overall I am happy to be in the team and support it.

What is your impression of the team’s performances in your absence?

Postiga- My impression is that it is the best one. I have confidence in my friends and my coach. I hope my team tries to win the last games and can qualify for the playoffs. I hope to help the team in the next game. It’s a short tournament. You can win, you can lose. It’s normal.

Did you manage to watch the games while you were away?

Postiga- Yes, so I know what’s been happeing.

Coach, your home matches are not going well. How do you look forward to this match?

Habas- Its football. The next four games are in Kolkata. Sometimes you can play very well in Kolkata or away. Someday you don’t play well and still win. Its different everyday. We have to work the same everyday, in the same manner. To qualify for the playoffs. I don’t have a problem with this team. I want regularity in the team. We had many players out with injury.

You don’t have Nato in this match? How do you manage the central defence?

Habas- We are waiting for the Indian national team players. They should fill in.

Will Postiga feature?

Habas- No, not possible for this game.

Will the new signing Lekic feature tomorrow?

Habas- I am not sure but he might.

Any special strategy for Delhi Dynamos? Any player that you are planning to restrict?

Habas- I don’t like to choose one player. I prefer to talk about the whole team, together. I don’t want to mark one player because that’s not good for me or the team. The quality is in the team. Obviously we have to counter the best players in the opponent but no obsessing over one.