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The City of Joy has seen the success story of IPL side Kolkata Knight Riders, but the people of Kolkata have been craving for a city based football side for whom they can cheer for. Kolkata is known for it’s immense passion for the beautiful game. It proudly boasts the existence of two of the oldest and prestigious clubs in Indian football, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. The famous Kolkata derby witnesses thousands of fans cheering for their favourite team at the Salt Lake Stadium. The iconic stadium, though now with a reduced capacity of 69,000 is big enough to give goosebumps to even the best of players. Time has come for Bengalis to unite and show their passion for a single club which upholds the name of Kolkata.
The team gets its name from the famous Spanish club Atletico de Madrid, who is a co-owner in this franchise. Another notable personality who owns the franchise is none other than Kolkata’s dearest son of the soil Sourav Ganguly. The ex-Indian cricket team captain and player brings an extra essence to the team which the fans can savour.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Edima Bete, Basilio Agudo, Subhashish Roy Chowdhury
Defenders: Arnab Mondal, Biswajit Saha, Denzil Franco, Kingshuk Debnath, Jose Miguel Gonsalez Rey, N. Mohanraj, Sylvain Monsoreau,
Midfielders: Borja Fernandes, Cavin Lobo, Climax lawrence, Jakub Podany, Jofre Gonsalez, Lester Fernandes, Mamunul Islam Mamun, Ofentse Nato, Rakesh Masih, Sanju Pradhan, Luis Garcia
Forwards: Arnal Llibert Conde Carbo, Baljit Sahni, Mohammad Rafi, Fikru Lemessa, Mohammad Rafique.
Atletico de Madrid being of the the key owners in the franchise, the Kolkata-based side mostly recruited foreigners from Spain. Their marquee signing too hails from Spain, the famous Spanish winger, Luis Garcia. Garcia has represented his national team in several matches and also has the experience of playing in top clubs like Barcelona, Atletico de Madrid and Liverpool under his belt.Luis Garcia. Garcia has represented his national team in several matches and also has the experience of playing in top clubs like Barcelona, Atletico de Madrid and Liverpool under his belt.
Among the Indian recruits, the notable ones are Climax Lawrence, Cavin Lobo, Subhashish Roy Chowdhury, Arnab Mondal.Climax Lawrence, Cavin Lobo, Subhashish Roy Chowdhury, Arnab Mondal. Climax is an old warhorse and a famous name in Indian football. Lawrence has been a part of Dempo’s golden generation and also played several matches in the Indian national team outfit.
Cavin Lobo is one of the most creative central midfielders currently in Indian football. The Goanese has been an integral part of Kingfisher EastBengal for a couple of years now. Even though, he might not break into the first eleven of Atletico de Kolkata due to the presence of several quality central midfielders in the squad, he will be a handy pick for manager Antonio Lopez Habas in the latter phases of the games.
In the back half, the Kolkata side has the experience of center back Arnab Mondal who is an India international and a Kingfisher East Bengal Arnab Mondal who is an India international and a Kingfisher East Bengal regualr. Arnab’s experience will be beneficial for Atletico de Kolkata.
Another notable foreign recruit is Borja Fernandes. The ex-Real MadridBorja Fernandes. The ex-Real Madrid midfielder has quintessential experience of playing in the La Liga. The 33-year-old footballer will be a handy choice for the coach.
Coach
Former Atletico Madrid defender Antonio Lopez Habas is at the helm of affairs for Atletico de Kolkata.
Antonio Habas has spent his entire playing career in Spain with spells at clubs like Sevilla and Murcia. He the final season of his career for Atletico Madrid in 1985-86 but didn’t feature in any official game for them.
The man has over 20 years of coaching experience,under his belt. However Habas also had a stint as the coach of the Bolivia national team and was last in charge of South African club Bidvest Wits FC.
Owners
Most of the franchisees in the Indian Super League are co-owned by 2 or 3 persons, but Kolkata has 5 owners to fund them. City bases industrialists, Harsh Neotia, Sanjeev Goenka and Utsav Parekh is joined by Indian cricket star Sourav Ganguly and Spanish club Atletico de Madrid.
Atletico Madrid’s presence in the ownership brings in great international exposure to the team. TheSpanish side even organised a short pre-season camp in Madrid where the Indian players got an opportunity to avail the facilities of Atletico Madrid. The team was officially launched during a La Liga game between Atletico de madrid and Celta Vigo at the Vicente Calderon stadium.
How far will they go?
Atletico de Kolkata looks pretty decent on paper. They have the experience of Luis Garcia, Borja Fernandes, Climax lawrence, Arnab Mondal, Sanju Pradhan.
Indian international Subhashish Roy Chowdhury will be the custodian who has immense experience in Indian football.
Their upfront will be lead by East Bengal striker Baljit Sahni who has loads of goals in the domestic circuit.
Overall Atletico de Kolkata are expected to make the semi finals.
