Mohun Bagan coach Panos reveals he has a plan to counter Punjab’s pressing football

XtraTime Web Desk

Mohun Bagan Super Giant will return to home action in the ISL on Saturday, taking on Punjab FC. However, Mohun Bagan are yet to find their rhythm as a team this season, leaving head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis, popularly known as Panos, under considerable pressure ahead of the clash.

The two sides had previously faced each other in the Shield, where they were involved in a closely contested encounter. However, ahead of Saturday's ISL fixture, Panos insisted that the Shield match and the upcoming encounter were two entirely different challenges. He explained that his team were not fully prepared at the time, with injuries, fitness concerns and other issues affecting their preparations. He is confident that Saturday's match will be a different story.

Acknowledging Punjab FC's well-organised defensive structure and pressing style of football, the Mohun Bagan coach said his team already have a clear plan in place. They have also worked on specific strategies to counter Punjab's strengths.

The big question remains whether Miguel and Jamie Maclaren will be available for the match. Panos said a final decision on Maclaren's availability would be taken after assessing him in Friday's training session. However, Miguel and Apuia are unlikely to feature.

Despite the injury concerns, Panos refused to make excuses. He pointed out that the squad has 22 players and insisted that the team's balance would not be affected by the absence of a few individuals.

During his stint as Punjab FC coach, Panos had given opportunities to several young players. He indicated that he would follow a similar approach at Mohun Bagan, promising to give youngsters like Sayan a chance whenever the situation demands or allows it.

Panos also disagreed with suggestions that Mohun Bagan have failed to dominate their opponents this season. He claimed that his side had dominated both East Bengal encounters, although he admitted that in one of those matches, despite creating three chances, they conceded four goals. He also felt that Mohun Bagan had controlled proceedings against NorthEast United and Delhi FC. However, he acknowledged that his team did not perform well in their previous match.

Meanwhile, Punjab FC hold special significance for Samir Jelcovic, who previously represented the club. Ahead of facing his former side, the midfielder stressed the importance of keeping emotions aside and approaching the game professionally. He admitted that he knows several players in the Punjab squad and is aware of their strengths, including the quality of their foreign recruits. Jelcovic added that he is looking forward to the encounter.