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And, then there were two. After five months of back and forth action, it all comes down to ATK and Chennaiyin FC at the Fatorda Stadium to decide who will walk out with the ISL trophy. Both are former champions and made their way to the finals deservedly.
ATK meant business in the pre-season. They spent heavily in the transfer market and got their dividends paid once the tournament commenced. They were in contention with FC Goa to finish the ISL league standings on top. But two back-to-back blips forced them to settle for the second spot.
Chennaiyin FC's remarkable turnaround is nothing less than a fairytale. Reeling from their previous edition's disastrous ending, new manager Owen Coyle steadied the ship and took them to the ISL playoffs in a do-or-die encounter against Mumbai City FC. The Marina Machans are in no mood to stop after reaching the final hurdle.
There is little to separate between ATK and Chennaiyin FC in terms of individual quality. But, on the given day, the team which makes lesser mistakes, or rather, forces the opposition to commit more will gain the upper hand. Without any further ado, here are the five key battles to watch out in the ISL final on Saturday.
#5 Lallianzuala Chhangte (Chennaiyin FC) vs Prabir Das (ATK)
The battle between the two Indian nationals in the wide areas of the pitch is what should please the eye of India's national team head coach Igor Stimac. Both Chhangte and Prabir have exceeded their expectations and proved to be a menace for their semi-final opponents.
ATK were lively against Bengaluru FC in the second leg through the right flank because they didn't foray much forward in that direction. Their captain Sunil Chhetri was partly injured. But, a galloping Chhangte could restrict the ATK wing-back to his defensive duties.
The Mizo forward has scored 7 goals, having struck in each of the semifinal encounters, and is only behind Sunil Chhetri in terms of Indian goalscorers. His blistering pace and ball control is something Prabir should be wary of.
If Pritam Kotal alone can manage to keep Chhangte quiet, Prabir Das would have the leverage to surge forward. At this stage, ATK's most lethal weapon is Prabir's pinpoint low cross from near the byline.
He has done that 64 times and bagged 6 crosses. It remains to be seen whether either of them will be able to add to their tally.
#4 David Williams (ATK) vs Edwin Vanspaul (Chennaiyin FC)
David Williams' two goals in the second leg of the semi-final against Bengaluru FC punched ATK's ticket to the final. Whether it be his calm composure while taking the penalty or his slick header after keeping himself unmarked, Williams has shown that he is the most dangerous when under pressure.
His chemistry with Krishna is impeccable. The Aussie has already scored 7 goals and bagged 4 assists and would not shy to increase his numbers. Williams holds the key in ATK's swift counter-attacking approach.
Chennaiyin FC's breakout player Edwin Vanspaul will be tasked to stop him. The defensive midfielder ensured ATK didn't have much joy while going forward in their last meeting. But, Williams didn't start that game.
Edwin earned himself a national team call-up on the back of his impressive shift in the heart of the midfield. A grand total of 75 tackles, 41 interceptions, 68 clearances, and 24 blocks proves his stature. All that is left for Edwin is to check Williams on the gala day.
#3 Rafael Crivellaro (Chennaiyin FC) vs Michael Regin (ATK)
Another classic #10 vs #6 battle to watch out on the opposite end of the pitch is one between Chennaiyin FC's Rafael Crivellaro and ATK's Michael Regin. The Brazilian has been dangerous whenever the opposition left him loose and ATK cannot afford to make that mistake.
Like Williams, Crivellaro too has a symbiotic relationship with his strike partner Nerijus Valskis. Alongside his wonder long-range goal, he has found his name on the score-sheet a staggering 7 times and bagged 8 assists.
His innate dribbling skills and periphery vision can prove to be a burden for the ATK defense which like to play a high line.
While his younger brother Soosairaj hogs the limelight usually, in the final, it would be Michael Regin tasked with the much important job. He displaced Pronay Halder from that position and started in the last three matches.
Regin's hard-tackling nature is evident from the 26 ones he lodged in 299 minutes he has got so far in the tournament. ATK can win half of the match if Regin manages to stop Crivellaro.
#2 Roy Krishna (ATK) vs Lucian Goian (Chennaiyin FC)
The ISL's costliest player this season didn't disappoint his detractors. Roy Krishna is leading the Golden Boot race with 15 goals and 5 assists and the Fijian captain is showing no signs of stopping down.
Sublime finishing is what separates Krishna from the other strikers in ISL. He doesn't put too much power in his shot but his perfect placement is enough to hoodwink the goalkeepers. Like most of the prolific goalscorers in the world, Krishna's individual ability has troubled the defenders time and again.
Lucian Goian will shoulder the responsibility to stop him alongside his partner-in-crime Eli Sabia. However, it is the Romanian that is expected to head into one-on-one duels with Krishna.
Goian scored the all-important goal against Mumbai City FC in the league phase of ISL and scored the first of the four goals in the first leg of semi-finals against FC Goa. His ability in the air needs no introduction.
But, with a counter-attacking ATK upfront, he might need to do more of his defensive duties.
Also read: ISL Final: Two contrasting fairy-tales cross paths in pursuit of history
#1 Nerijus Valskis (Chennaiyin FC) vs Arindam Bhattacharya (ATK)
The battle everyone should keep an eye on is that between Nerijus Valskis and Arindam Bhattacharja. Chennaiyin FC's Lithuanian striker has been in red hot form but the Indian gloveman has been equally adept.
Valskis has already notched 14 goals and 6 assists in this season. And, is only behind Krishna and Ogbeche in the leading goalscorers' chart. Arindam, on the other hand, has made 48 saves and is only behind Subhasish Roy Chowdhury and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in the pecking order.
In the last battle between the two sides, Valskis got the upper hand in the last minute of the match courtesy of a chipped effort from halfway mark after Arindam came off his line. But, for the majority of the game, the ATK custodian managed to keep him quiet.
The venomous shots of Valskis will be up against the instantaneous reflexes of Arindam. With ATK defense looking porous in the last four encounters, there is little probability that Chennaiyin FC's marksman won't have a shot on target in the crunch encounter.
But, it will all come down to Arindam who has bailed his defense throughout the second half of the season.
