ISL 2015: Poor finishing and unsettled defence exposed as Atletico de Kolkata lose to NorthEast

Atletico de Kolkata fell to their second successive loss for the first time in two seasons as NorthEast United FC picked themselves up from the bottom of the league standings with a 1-0 win at Guwahati. An evenly contested tactical battle for most periods, it ultimately came down to who took their chances better and Atletico fell short on that aspect. While Antonio Habas had promised to rectify his selection gaffes from Atletico’s previous match, Cesar Farias had vowed his team will build upon their dramatic win over Chennaiyin FC. Injuries to key players made it difficult for both managers to field their best eleven, but it resulted in an entertaining affair for spectators as both sides created numerous chances until Nicolas Velez broke the deadlock in the 77th minute. [caption id=“attachment_2481274” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Antonio Habas has a few problems to solve. ISL[/caption] Here are three takeaways as the Highlanders defeated the defending champions of the Indian Super League for the first time: Brilliance between the posts: The goalkeepers of both sides stood out amidst a flurry of chances. Amrinder Singh and Rehenesh TP pulled off exquisite saves at either end of the pitch to keep the tie scoreless for so long. The fact that a solitary goal was the difference between the two teams was a testimony to their abilities. Farias’ side hogged possession from the first minute, but the match’s first real chance fell to Javier Lara whose long-distance shot was parried away by Rehenesh. Amrinder showcased an equally astute display when he correctly adjudged the flight and swerve in Bruno Arias’ free-kick and acrobatically thwarted Reagan Singh’s volley. Velez might take away the laurels for helping NorthEast to earn the three points, but the two 22-year-old Indian goalies emerged as heroes for their respective sides. Atletico’s finishing woes: Atletico de Kolkata’s finishing was absolutely dire for the second match in a row. Injuries to marquee player Helder Postiga and top scorer Arata Izumi have taken the wind out of Atletico’s sails. Lara was particularly wasteful in the danger area, putting his side’s best chance of the match high over the post from just six yards out. Ian Hume put in another industrious shift up front, his tricky movement between the channels troubling the duo of Carlos Lopez and Aibor Khongjee. However, Hume’s tendency to drop off and increase the numbers in the midfield, in a bid to create chances implied Atletico did not have anyone to attack the final ball. Izumi’s absence and Lara’s inefficiency meant Atletico were not as effective in the final third as they were during the first few games. “It was not just that one chance, we missed a lot of chances. But the match is over now and there is no use lamenting those chances,” Alberto Marrero, Atletico’s Sporting Director acknowledged his side’s shortcomings in front of the goal, but remained confident they could turn it around. An unsettled defence: Atletico failed to register a clean sheet in yet another game, as one of last season’s strongest defensive units continued to get undone in face of pace from the opposition. Habas has heavily experimented with his defense, trying out eight defenders in four separate combinations, but in vain. The Kolkata-based franchise have looked uncomfortable every time opponents have unleashed direct football on them – peppering the back four with long balls has been a recurrent strategy, which has paid dividends time and again. Atletico de Kolkata remained chaotic at the back irrespective of whether Bruno Arias created through the middle or Sanju Pradhan utilised the width. The lack of an efficient defensive shield in Borja Fernandez and Ofentse Nato made the likes of Arnab Mondal and Jose Arroyo even more vulnerable when Farias’ side pressed high up the pitch. Atletico’s fixture scheduling has heavily reflected upon their results, with the side playing the first five matches in five different cities. As Habas and his men return home to face Delhi Dynamos next, more questions have risen and more obstacles have surfaced since their last venture at the Salt Lake Stadium.