PRE-SEMI QUIPS- Molina: I'll prepare my team to win and get to the final; Guimaraes says team is as confident as in the league stage

CHAMPIONS OF THE FIRST EDITION of ISL are done with preparation and feel confident of overcoming the challenge of Mumbai City tonight.

Speaking to the press yesterday Molina said,

“We played against them earlier in the season and we did a very good job against them in those two matches and I hope tomorrow we can have a good match. I have confidence in my team that we can win, and not only do we have to do a great job in defence but we also have to do a great job in attack.”

On the first time entrants into the semi-finals, Molina said,

“We never play for a draw and we have drawn here many times and you can ask the players that we always try to win, and we will try to win tomorrow, and if we can’t win tomorrow, then we will try to draw. When we are on the pitch, we want to win and if we can’t get the win, then we are happy with a draw.”

Guimaraes refused to take the favourties title going into the game. Talking to the reporters before the game said,

"It is our first time in the semis and Kolkata have been there in the semis two times already, so I think I have answered the question. We are very excited to play our first semi-final and we are willing to do well like we did in the league stage. We know we are going to play against a team that also plays very offensive like us, so I think it will be a tough game and it will be a semi-final which will not be decided here but will be decided in Mumbai” 

The last time when the teams met at ATK's home game Mumbai ran out winners. On the return game this time around, Molina said the situation much different tonight,

“This is a different match, and it not a 90 but 180-minute match and we will prepare well in attack and defence. Yes, earlier we lost against them here but tomorrow we will try to win and hopefully we will win.”

Molina continued,

“As I said before it will be a 180-minute match but the first part which is 90 minutes is tomorrow and I am focussed on tomorrow’s match to get the best result possible and try to win the match, and only after this match we will start thinking about the next match, but we have to remember it is a 180-minute match and we have got to try and play our best football.”

Talking about the team's mental preparation and confidence ahead of the game Guimaraes said,

“The confidence is that we have been very stable during the whole part of the league stage and we have always stuck together in good times and in bad and in our way of playing. I think the team has one identity and it is important for us to play to preserve this identity and I think it is very important for the Mumbai City football club project.”

ATK finished fourth on the table and Mumbai topped the league table. If this will give an upper hand to Mumbai, Moline replied,

“I do not think about that and I don’t worry about that, as it does not matter. I have to prepare to win tomorrow and I don’t lose my time thinking whether we are the favourites or not, and the point is to prepare my team to win and get to the final. Mumbai, I agree, could be the favourites as they topped the table.”

Explaining the reason of Sony Norde not starting the last three games, Guimaraes said,

"I think he can help us in a different way, sometimes starting, sometimes as a substitute and we have no problem with anyone”

Comparing the strengths of both teams, ATK Head Coach Molina said,

“As I said earlier the standard of the teams is similar and maybe Mumbai won more matches and points but there is not much difference in the standard of the teams. They play differently but there isn’t a big difference. They will be a tough match for us and we will be a tough match for them and we will try to play in our way and try to win” 

Guimaraes on his marquee Forlan's influence and contribution in Mumbai City's success said,

“Yes, his presence is very good but I will not say he a big reason. With the intention of football here, I think here you have to have good heroes as coaches and players and I think he is one of them and he has shown his winning mentality, professionalism and his skills, of course. He always wants to play and he is not a marquee player, who plays one game and then does not play three games and he is there always and I think this is good for the football here and for our organisation to have a guy who came here with confidence and lifts the confidence of our team and helps develop Indian football.”

On the Mumbai marquee, Molina was asked he posed a threat to ATK's defence said,

“This time also, it is the same and no special plans. We are not playing against Forlan. We have to try and defend as a team against a team and not against a special player and we are trying to attack as a team and defend as a team and if we defend as a team, then we will have a lot of chances to keep a clean sheet and win the match,” 

To the fans who will be watching ATK for the last time at home this season said,

“I want to thank you for supporting us over here in all the matches and I am sure tomorrow will be great. We are trying to play well. We might not have got too many victories here but I think we did a great job and I hope it will be a good match, which they can enjoy. I hope we can get a victory” 

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