Atletico de Kolkata (ATK) coach Antonio Lopez Habas on Friday said he has faith in his entire squad and not just one or two players.
Talking to media in Chennai ahead of the opening match of the second season of Indian Super League (ISL) on Saturday, the ATK coach said his team is much more stronger and ready to defend its title.
"I have confidence in my whole squad. I guess we have become more stronger this season. For me it is about the team and not individuals. You have to collectively play well as a team to win the title," the Spaniard said.
Kolkata have made significant changes to their team this year. The team management's decision to release players like Fikru Teferra, last year's caption Luis Garcia and Jofre Mateu, who played a key role in their title-winning run, has definitely raised a few eyebrows but the coach is not worried about it all and said past is past and they have to look to the future.
"I don't want to talk about last year. We have to go day by day this time around once again. We have to fight for three points day after day," he said.
Just like last year, the team has had a long pre-season camp in Madrid and the coach claims it has been a perfect one.
"We had a fantastic pre-season. The players gave their hundred percent and I want the same during the matches. The pre-seasons are very important for every team. It tells you about the style of the game. The players know in advance what they have to do on match days and what is expected of them," the coach added.
ATK had a dream start last season and topped the charts for the majority of the group stages but they played out many draws as well during the league stage. When asked whether his style of football compromises with the entertaining style of football, he joked and said ATK still won the title.
"We won the title by playing that brand of football. Every match you can't play entertaining football and sometimes you have to stay content with defensive style of game and take one point out of the game," he said.
Atletico de Kolkata will start their campaign against Chennayin FC on Saturday in the curtain raiser of the Indian Super League season two.
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