SPORTS
Even though their football was not eye catching, Atletico de Kolkata emerged victorious in ISL because they started preparing early in Spain and their formidable midfield
Kolkata, the City of Joy, has arguably been the most football-crazy city in the country. One just has to witness an East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan match to know the fans' enthusiasm, or fanaticism for that matter.
The 'Gods' of the beautiful game —Lionel Messi, Pele and Maradonna — have entertained the capital city of West Bengal. Why, they even have the second largest football stadium in the world (Salt Lake Stadium). So was it destiny that Atletico de Kolkata won India's most commercially viable tournament, the Indian Super League (ISL)?
One may argue that Kerala Blasters created more chances in the final, while Kolkata were content being midfield maestros. Again, one may assert that they played boring football in a goalless 220 minutes of the semifinal against FC Goa. In fact, they could have missed out on a semifinal berth altogether had it not been for a controversial penalty by Fikru Tefera against FC Goa which helped them get to the knockouts at the expense of Delhi Dynamos.
Nothing is achieved without hard work, and the team from Kolkata really did work hard. Things got serious after they tied up with La Liga defending champs and Champions League runners-up Atletico Madrid. After this move, the team was able to start training at the earliest. That too in the best of facilities. The month-long training was conducted at Los Angeles de San Rafael ground in El Espinar —outskirts of Madrid — which is at an altitude of 1,240 metres above sea level.
Their training consisted of specific exercises with players practising ball coordination, energy and agility movements to help them keep the pace up for 90 minutes. Their training also involved various ball works and building up stamina with working groups and defensive tactical synchronisation. Such training methods were unheard of, at least for an Indian team.
Getting expert tactical and medical advice from one of the best clubs in Spain helped them, Indians in particular, to be ready for the challenges that a tournament of this magnitude throws their way.
One of the reasons that Atletico Madrid won the La Liga and reached the Champions League final for the second time, was because of a strong defence and a robust midfield. And the team from Kolkata seemed to have taken a leaf from their namesake of sorts.
Spaniards Borja Fernandez and Jofre Gonzalez controlled the midfield. Their marquee player Luis Garcia played just ahead of them, as attacking midfielder. The three of must have spent a lot of time at the drawing board, practising the elementary triangular-style football, which they executed with perfection, making it a delight for fans and a nightmare for the opposition.
Kolkata rarely let control of the midfield slip to the opposition. They may not have played the Spanish-style tika-taka way, but their short passes and through balls in the middle of the field were a delight to watch.
Salgaocar coach Derrick Pereira said, "There wasn't much difference among the teams in the ISL. In the end, Atletico won because they were superior in the midfield. When a management shows so much commitment, it pumps up the players. Ultimately, that was the difference."
Then they had the defenders. Arnab Mondal and Josemi combined well in the central defensive position to thwart any attack that came their way. Proof of that lies at the fact that the team conceded the least number of goals (10) along with FC Goa.
Even appointing their coaching staff was a masterstroke. Their manager Antonio Habas, a former manager of Valencia CF, has been a coaching veteran in the upper two divisions of the Spanish Football League. He was assisted by Jose Barreto who plied his trade in Kolkata and has become a Mohun Bagan legend. The Spanish and Kolkata football philosophies seemed to have blended well, helping the Spanish and Indian footballers to work better together.
In the end, Mohammed Rafique's header in the fourth minute of injury-time may have won Kolkata the crown, but the fact of the matter is that they were the team that prepared the most. In a way, they carved out their destiny.
IND vs NZ, 2nd Test Dream11 prediction: Fantasy cricket tips for India vs New Zealand match
How To Prepare For The UPSC CSE 2025 Exam?
'India supports dialogue and diplomacy, not war': PM Modi at BRICS Summit
This woman lost in Dubai's desert orders camel via Uber, netizens say 'your camel has arrived'
Good news for Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Paytm gets NPCI nod to..., shares surge over 7%
Fan requests Rohit Sharma to deliver her message to Virat Kohli, here's how Indian captain responded
Rajkummar Rao recalls being scammed in Delhi during struggle days: 'The man had...'
Robbers pose as customers in jewellery shop, what owner did next will leave you shocked
Maharashtra Elections 2024: NCP releases 1st list of 38 candidates; Ajit Pawar to contest from…
Japanese Shah Rukh Khan leaves Bollywood Badshah's fan impressed, social media says...
Will KL Rahul be retained by LSG ahead of IPL Auction? New report provides BIG update, it says...
'Wayanad will have two MPs': Rahul Gandhi after Priyanka files nomination for bypolls
I Want To Talk teaser: Abhishek Bachchan announces his next with Shoojit Sircar, to release on...
Diwali 2024: When is Deepawali, October 31 or November 1? Check dates, mahurat timings and more
JEE Main 2025 exam date to release TODAY: Know how to register, check exam calendar HERE
Jhalmuri fever hits London: Video of British man selling Kolkata-style street food goes viral, watch
SC slams Centre as Delhi air worsens, calls environment laws...
Ex-cricketer suggests replacing KL Rahul with THIS batsman for 2nd Test vs NZ, he is…
TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee smashes bottle, hurls it towards Chair in row over Waqf meet
Know how Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani's children Isha Ambani and Akash Ambani got their names
Family finds venomous snakes under their bed, what happened next will leave you in shock
This company's Vice President gets fired after raise and bonus, reason will leave you shocked
Mukesh Ambani-led Jio Financial eyes JVs with Allianz SE in insurance sector
IMD's BIG update: Cyclone Dana forms over Bay of Bengal, to cross Odisha-Bengal coasts on...
This company gifts cars as Diwali bonus, calls its employees celebrities, is owned by…
Amid divorce rumours with Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan skips her family gathering
When Ratan Tata opened up about his parents separation, first love and childhood, he said...
Blow to Mukesh Ambani ahead of Isha Ambani, Akash Ambani's birthday, Reliance stocks...
Saudi Arabia's futuristic megacity project Neom a big threat to migratory birds? Experts say...
Apple CEO Tim Cook didn’t know about this iPhone feature, left speechless, know here
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio offers superhit Diwali plan, unlimited 5G internet for just Rs...
Bengaluru Rains: Schools closed, WFH advisory for private companies as IMD issues yellow alert
Israel confirms killing of Hashem Safieddine, presumed successor of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah
Big move by Anil Ambani, his company to invest Rs 10000 crore to set up India's largest...
Meet Indian genius, who was born in small town, today leads AI innovations of Google, she is...
Woman stays at luxury resort worth Rs 3 lakh for free, claims she used...
Delhi AQI update: Air quality worsens to 'very poor' level at 349, becomes 'severe' in these areas
PM Modi to hold bilateral talks with Xi Jinping at BRICS Summit today
Odisha, West Bengal brace for Cyclone Dana: How was it named and what it means?
POCSO case: Mumbai Police ask Ekta Kapoor, her mother to appear for questioning tomorrow
Watch: Can you identify all the actors in this clip from 1991?
Priyanka Gandhi to file nomination for Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll today
Meet woman, whose father used to sell milk, cracked UPSC exam with AIR 62 to become...
Delhi: No water supply in Capital for 12 hours on Friday due to…; check list of affected areas
Salman Khan resumes shooting for Sikandar amid death threats from Lawrence Bishnoi
India, Pakistan extend Kartarpur Sahib corridor agreement for five years
DNA TV Show: What is BRICS currency? Is it possible to introduce it today?
IPL 2025: Three-time IPL champion set to join Gujarat Titans as batting coach - Reports
PM Modi, Xi Jinping to hold bilateral meet on sidelines of BRICS Summit on Oct 23, first in 5 years
New Himalayan snake species named after Academy Award winner Leonardo DiCaprio, it will be called…
Cyclone Dana: Schools closed in West Bengal, Odisha for 4 days from...
Delhi govt to provide special assistance of Rs 5000 monthly to...
Rape-accused Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein diagnosed with bone marrow cancer
IND vs NZ: Sarfaraz Khan or KL Rahul; Who will find a spot in 2nd Test? India coach says…
Mumbai Police interrogates Ekta Kapoor, her mother Shobha Kapoor in case under POCSO act
Mukesh Ambani may team up with govt to sell food products through...
Bengaluru: Several feared trapped as under-construction building collapses
Best Cheap VPS Hosting Providers: Top Picks for Hosting Under USD 10
Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal set to raise Rs 8500 crore, says it is meant to...