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Two-time champions ATK got their campaign back on track with a win over Delhi Dynamos FC in their crucial away match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at Delhi on Wednesday.
This was the first match after the international break, which is introduced this time to give the players a chance to represent their country on important matchdays.
ATK, who had their worst start of the campaign since the beginning of the tournament, lost their first two matches quite cheaply. A short breather in between the tournament worked for them, as they came out changing their approach.
Balwant Singh scored ATK’s first goal of this season in the 20th minute. He received a lofted pass from Manuel Lanzarote, cut inside and took a right-footed curler which went inside the net from the top right corner, giving Delhi goalkeeper Dorronroso no chance.
Delhi came out with the more attacking mentality in the second half and quickly leveled terms.
From a Narayan Das corner, Rana Gharami crossed a header towards captain Pritam Kotal, left unmarked by the ATK defenders, who equalised.
ATK, however, didn’t peg back and continued their search for a winning goal. They found it towards the end with another brilliant pass from Lanzarote.
Jayesh Rane kept the ball and passed it to onrushing Noussair El-Moahmouni, who calmly finished it off.
With this win, ATK climbed back to the sixth position, leaving Chennaiyin FC the only team without a point this season.
Let us take a look at the five points of the game:
#1 Coppell’s strategy worked
Losing their first two games, the pressure was mounting on ATK coach Steve Coppell. He was in dire need to come out with a different approach and he did so against Delhi.
Coppell deployed Everton Santos in a deeper role, as a defensive midfielder, along with Pranoy Halder. Also, forward Kalu Uche had his first start of this season, putting captain Manuel Lanzarote in his usual position as a central midfielder.
Also, Coppell gave Komal Thatal his first start. That worked wonders as youngster Thatal kept Delhi defence under pressure every time he had the ball on his feet.
Coppell should breathe a sigh of relief as the right-wing position is sorted.
ATK came out with a different approach than the one they had in the last two matches. The attacking mindset and the aggressive approach were missing from their game. However, they got it back when mattered.
#2 Delhi need to do more in the backline
Against FC Pune City in their previous match, Delhi ticked all the boxes right until the last minute, when Diego Carlos equalised, denying the home side three points. ATK punished them in the same way by scoring towards the end of the match.
There is no question as such with the Delhi defence but they are a bit sloppy in the closing stages.
Before Mahmouni’s goal, Jayesh Rane was left unmarked he didn’t face many challenges before rushing his way towards the goal.
Before being intercepted, he crossed to the Moroccan, who put the ball into the back of the net between three defenders.
Rana Gharami assisted the goal of his team but failed to perform his regular duty. Narayan Das also left red-faced by the pace of Komal Thatal. To see their efforts not go to waste, Delhi needs to consolidate their defence.
#3 Defensive woes persist with ATK
Despite a comprehensive win, there are some defensive frailties that need to be answered for the Kolkata-based team. John Johnson was in his usual best today and it must be good news for Coppell that Gerson Viera is finally getting his form back.
Andre Bikey was introduced in the later stages of the game. Before that, he was seen instructing his teammates constantly. Coppell is fortunate to have an option like Bikey who he can introduce anytime if one of his central defenders have a bad day.
But both the full-back positions is a worry for ATK. Sena Ralte was suspended against Delhi, so Coppell started with Ricky Lallawmawma. The Mizo footballer still getting himself acclimatised with the nature of the tournament. Nandakumar Sekar particularly targeting the right flank to create all the attacks.
In the right-back position, Aiborlang Khongjee was also unimpressive. He couldn’t keep Lallianzuala Chhangte under check and letting a few balls slip in.
#4 Mihelic inspires the Delhi midfield
This was only the second match for Slovenian Rene Mihelic in Delhi colours. It seems he started from where he left off. The mainstay behind Chennaiyin’s successful campaign last season, Mihelic provided an inspiring performance against ATK.
In the second half, when Delhi came out with an attacking mentality, Mihelic took all the responsibility upon him. He moved deeper to get the ball, created attacks linking superbly with both the wingers.
It was again the under-performance of striker Andrija Kaluderovic that Delhi failed to manage a goal. In fact, both the goal scored by their defenders. Against FC Pune City, it was Rana Gharami with his sumptuous strike and on Wednesday it was Pritam Kotal.
Both Lallianzuala Chhangte and Sekar didn’t have their usual outing against ATK. But it was only their second match and it will take some more time to get their understanding better.
#5 Thatal, Lanzarote provide standout performance
Some of the players who have played in the Under-17 World Cup in India last year are already making headlines.
Jadon Sancho made his debut with England a few days ago and Phil Foden has been featuring regularly with Manchester City. American Josh Sergant scored a goal against Peru on Monday.
Komal Thatal, who made the headlines with his heading and attacking prowess, is surely going to be the next big thing for Indian football.
He was given a start as a right winger and Thatal did everything to prove his worth. He got the ball, kept possession, created attacks and never panicked.
Even without the ball, he kept taking the right positions. His raw pace posed dangers in Delhi defence. Considering Wednesday’s performance, he should feature in the team regularly.
Apart from him, another standout player for ATK was none other than their captain Manuel Lanzarote. He loves providing assists.
The first goal came from his beautiful lofted pass to Balwant. In the second, Lanzarote played a through ball to Jayesh Rane, who could’ve scored but decided to pass it to Mahmouni, which eventually sealed the game in ATK’s favour.
