Guimaraes on the draw: It's a fair result; Molina: I think we deserved the one point

IT WAS ALWAYS GOING TO be a great match to see two undefeated teams going head to head. None of the teams were going to be backing down. We did see plenty of action between the game between Mumbai and Atlético de Kolkatta. There were chances, penalty claims and a red card as well.

Mumbai began the brightest and threatened early on with the Haokip coming close on multiple occasions. Guimaraes on his side's show said,

“We played again a good game, we had our chances in the first half and then the second half changed completely after the red card, so we had to change our defensive game. Then after this situation Atlético played well and got their reward, they made us move much more and at the end I think it is a fair result,”

Coach Molina at the post match press conference admitted that the first half was all Mumbai. In the second period, game got a bit ugly at times and then the game-changing moment happened. Pronoy Halder was sent off. That incident gave ATK a boost and they surged forward to take the numerical advantage. Molina said,

“We did not have a very good first half. Our performance in the first 45 minutes wasn’t really good. But they scored one goal and had 2-3 more clear chances to score. We spoke at half time that we have to improve because the game is not over since it is 1-0; that we have to fight back in the second half. So in the second half it was a very good performance, we were the better team on the pitch. I think we deserved the one point. So one half to each team with the final result a draw. I think is a fair result"

Guimaraes was posed a question if he spoke to Haldar about the incident and he gave an apt answer,

“No, we have played this game and I know this is not the moment but of course tomorrow we will talk and that happens, and it also shows us how to defend with ten players.”

After a less impressive first half, Molina decided to shuffle his game plan and made two changes at half time. On this move, he said,

“It was a tactical switch. The first 45 minutes were not good. I was not happy with our performance. So we tried to change some things. We tried to play a different formation. I think with the players that came on in the second half and with the help of everybody we did a great job. I think we deserved the point”

He continued,

“We changed the formation in the second half. We played in a different way. We brought Stephen Pearson and Javi Lara in the middle to help Borja Fernandez. Accordingly I think the second half was better for us as we dominated. So yes the changes worked for us.”

Mumbai City FC were without their services of their marquee Diego Forlan due to an injury. Guimaraes, if he missed the Uruguan replied,

 “With Forlan we won two games! I mean Boithang played a fantastic game today and the team understood what kind of game we have to play without Diego, and Boithang moved very well during his time in the first 45 minutes"

Guimaraes continuing to speak about the injury of Forlan said,

“We will have to wait and see, whether or not he travels with us tomorrow morning because there is a continuation of games and now only the doctor can tell when he is able to play.”

Haldar recieved his marching orders about 20 minutes before full time. If this turned out to be the advantage for Atlético, Molina commended the Mumbai defence and said,

“I think the referee’s decision to pull out the second yellow card against the Mumbai City FC player was an advantage for us playing against 10 men. But the Mumbai City FC defenders defended really well in the second half. I think we really deserved the point. Maybe we could have scored another goal. But we didn’t have any clear chance since the Mumbai City FC players defended very well. They have a great goalkeeper too. I think it was a good game for everyone.”