ISL 2015: Four takeaways from Atletico De Kolkata’s hard-fought win over Chennaiyin FC

Atletico de Kolkata moved up to second position on the Indian Super League standings with a 2-1 win over Chennaiyin FC, whose semi-final dreams look bleak with just four matches to play. “We feel like we are being made fun of,” Marco Materazzi looked exasperated at another dismal showing from his side as Chennaiyin FC succumbed to an Atletico side which was far from exceptional. With the contest for the semi-final berths set to go down to the wire, it was a crucial game not just for the two teams involved, but for the likes of FC Pune City, Delhi Dynamos and NorthEast United FC as well. Here are four takeaways from the match: Atletico need more creativity: Antonio Habas finally fielded a line-up closest to his first-choice eleven with Arata Izumi making his first start in over a month. With Helder Postiga still missing from the matchday squad, Valdo started up front and Iain Hume slotted in at the No. 10 position. [caption id=“attachment_2513378” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Chennaiyin players look on a Iain Hume celebrates ATK’s winner. ISL[/caption] Jaime Gavilan has stepped up on a number of occasions over the last few weeks to instil creativity into the side, but the absence of Javi Lara was prominent once again with Antonio Habas’ side relying too much on Hume’s movement and Doutie’s runs behind the Chennaiyin FC defence. Atletico adopted a pretty simple gameplan of using Doutie and Izumi’s pace on the wings and peppering the Chennaiyin backline with long balls and crosses; but the visiting team’s center-back duo of Mailson Alves and Alessandro Potenza hardly looked uncomfortable. Going forward, Antonio Habas would need more from his attacking options should they aim to defeat FC Goa and FC Pune City in their upcoming matches. And Postiga’s return can’t come soon enough. Materazzi messed up with his team selection: Marco Materazzi played straight into Atletico’s hands by leaving John Steven Mendoza on bench. The young Colombian has been one of the revelations in the second season of the Indian Super League, but the player-manager started the former Atletico forward Fikru Teferra instead. When Firstpost asked Materazzi whether fitness was the reason behind his selection, Materazzi told, “No, Mendoza is not injured. If Fikru was playing that means he is in good shape.” It was an even more baffling decision to bring on Jeje Lalpekhlua instead of Mendoza in the second half while trailing by a goal. Non-existent Chennaiyin midfield: Chennaiyin FC’s defensive unit has borne majority of the blame for their recent winless streak, but the midfielders are equally culpable. Against Atletico, the trio of Harmanjot Khabra, Manuele Blasi and Thoi Singh were almost invisible for the better part of ninety minutes. Rafael Augusto scored the all-important first goal to put Chennaiyin ahead, but put up a pedestrian showing otherwise. With Elano’s performance a shadow of his usual self, Chennaiyin FC were a disjointed side – neither lethal in attack, nor composed while defending. “There is nothing to complain about. We were leading at one point of time in the game but then we went down. But we were trying real hard. We always try hard and we will keep at it until the end,” said Marco Materazzi, refusing to blame any individual performance. A blooming partnership between Iain Hume and Sameehg Doutie: For a side which has played without its primary attacking options since the inception of the tournament, Hume and Doutie have not just shouldered the responsibility of scoring goals, but have become an integral part of Habas’ squad. “Today it was a difficult game but I would like to congratulate [them]. It was a great display. It gives us confidence for our next game at home,” said Habas after the match. Atletico did not create much in the final third until Hume moved up to take over the centre forward’s role from Valdo, the Spaniard having a poor night. The switch paid dividends almost immediately as Hume’s run off the Chennaiyin FC centre halves helped him get on the end of a cross from Izumi, but the Canadian headed over. Sameehg Doutie started slowly but became more influential as the game progressed. His volley from the edge of the 18-yard box which helped Atletico equalize was as magnificent as his celebrations after the goal. The South African midfielder, having picked up a diagonal pass from Jaime Gavilan, also set up Hume’s winner in the second half with a brilliant low cross. Atletico next face FC Goa, who will be brimming with confidence after their 7-0 win over Mumbai City FC and Antonio Habas admitted it would be a difficult challenge. “Our target would be simply to win three more points,” he said.