Super Cup 2019: ATK 0-2 Chennaiyin FC – Anirudh Thapa shines as Chennaiyin reach their maiden Super Cup final

Chennaiyin players celebrating a goal
Chennaiyin players celebrating a goal

#3 Garcia and Balwant flopped as ATK lacked penetration in the attacking third

ATK strikers lacked penetration
ATK strikers lacked penetration

ATK have scored the least number of goals in the ISL season 5 and one of the main reasons was the absence of any positive striker in their line-up. Although the signing of Edu Garcia brought about some improvement, that was not enough to meet the requirements.

ATK started off Super Cup campaign brilliantly and scored seven goals, same with FC Goa, before coming into the semi-finals against Chennaiyin. However, old habits die hard. They lacked penetration in the attacking third as Chennaiyin swiftly used the chances that came towards them.

Balwant Singh scored a hat-trick in the last match against Delhi Dynamos, but against Chennaiyin FC, it was hard to find him on the pitch. On a couple of occasions, when he got the ball, it was snatched away by Chennaiyin FC defenders. He was tightly marked and never allowed a space to operate.

Garcia was carrying a niggle from the last match and the usual trickery was missing from his game. He didn’t take a single shot on goals and was deservingly substituted early in the second half. Manuel Lanzarote was the only one who tried to make a mark but he was the lone warrior who didn’t have the support from his teammates.

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