Mohun Bagan Super Giant head coach Jose Molina confirmed that his team will play without Dimitrios Petratos, Ashique Kuruniyan and Greg Stewart in their next Indian Super League (ISL) match against Punjab FC on December 26.
“At the moment, Dheeraj (Singh), the goalkeeper, Glenn Martins, Greg Stewart, Ashique (Kuruniyan). And Dimi (Petratosare not available for the next match,” Molina told reporters in the pre-match press conference.
The Mariners, leading the standings mid-way into the season, suffered its second loss of the season in their previous match, to FC Goa. It will end the calendar year against a surging Punjab FC, which has improved on its forgettable showing last season to place itself comfortably in the top six.
And Molina felt the team would have to give its all despite a depleted squad.
“Yes, we have fewer options but there are still good players. I’m sure we will have a really good team. Hopefully, we can have a good performance and we can achieve the three points in New Delhi,” Molina added.
The Spanish coach was also asked about the availability of captain Subhasish Bose, who was seen practising with a face mask after returning to Kolkata, following the Goa clash.
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“It’s not a risk (playing with a mask). If he wears the mask, he can play. I don’t want to put any player at risk. If the doctor says that he is available (for the game) tomorrow with the mask, then there’s no risk (for him to play),” Molina clarified.
Molina, who led the now-defunct ATK to the ISL title in 2016, has created a tight defence at Mohun Bagan this season, which has let in the least number of goals this season and has the most number of clean sheets.
But the 54-year-old insisted that the strategy was an all-round development of the team.
“To me, the football is a whole (unit). I cannot divide the football into defence and attack. For me, it’s a team,” Molina added.
Mohun Bagan has beaten Punjab in all their four previous encounters, with the last one being the Durand Cup quarterfinal, wherein Molina’s boys had won 6-5 on penalties. A day after Christmas, they will look to continue on the same note in the national capital.
Content Source: sportstar.thehindu.com