FC Goa 2-1 ATK: 3 Reasons why the Gaurs won the encounter | ISL 2019-20

#1 Goa tear ATK’s system to shreds

Coro scored the winner for Goa (Image courtesy: FC Goa/Twitter)

ATK started the match with three at the back as Pritam Kotal and Salam Singh flanked Agus in the heart of the defence. Michael Soosairaj and Prabir Das functioned as the wing-backs whereas the defensive midfield areas were manned by Javi and Sehnaj.

However, their tried and tested system came a cropper on Saturday as Goa ripped them open quite frequently.

Firstly, the narrowness of Salam as the left-sided centre-back allowed Jackichand Singh plenty of space on the right flank. The above, coupled with Soosairaj’s tendency to often forego his defensive duties meant that Goa consistently attacked down that wing.

And, once Soosairaj dropped deeper to help out his defensive colleagues, Krishna and Williams were left isolated higher up the pitch.

In midfield, Javi and Sehnaj failed to cope with the hosts’ propensity to switch positions with them not being able to track their runners requisitely. Subsequently, Brandon and Boumous enjoyed an enormous amount of time on the ball, thereby enabling them to scythe through the visitors.

Additionally, Goa’s midfield and defence dropped deeper just a tad to force ATK to play long balls towards Krishna and Williams, a prospect Mourtada and Pena thoroughly relished.

Furthermore, Mandar Rao Dessai and Seriton Fernandes’ constant forays down the flank penned the visitors’ defence back and led to numerous 2v1 situations.

Over the course of the current season, not many teams have been able to outwit ATK, especially with regards to the system deployed by Antonio Habas’ men. However, on Saturday, Goa did that with ease, meaning that the Kolkata-based outfit left the western state with a lot more questions than answers.