“We did not play well in the first half,” admits Hyderabad FC head coach Manolo Marquez

ATK Mohun Bagan scripted a great 2-1 win over the league leaders Hyderabad FC in the Indian Super League as they broke into the top four with a crucial win. Liston Colaco and Manvir Singh netted a goal each as Joel Chianese’s only goal ended up only as a consolation in the close win.

While the Nizams are still at the top of the table, ATK Mohun Bagan earned three crucial points as they broke into the top four. However, Hyderabad FC head coach Manolo Marquez felt that his team were unlucky not get a point from the fixture. Manolo said, “In the first half, ATK Mohun Bagan played better than us.

“In the second half, it was totally the opposite, especially after the two goals. We reacted really well. I think they deserved to win the first half, but we attacked a lot in the second half. We deserved at least a draw from the game.”

Marquez highlighted why he made a lot of changes at halftime. He pointed out how Hyderabad FC were poor in ball retention in the first half and hence he wanted to shake a few things up in the second half. He admitted that the Nizams did not play well in the first half.

“It was not about their pressing, in some moments we were losing the ball (with no pressure). Finally, we lost today, but we have five games and must think about the next game against Bengaluru FC.”

Adding to that ATK Mohun Bagan also lost foreigners like Hugo Boumous and Carl McHugh to injuries and head coach Juan Ferrando was forced to make some early changes. Speaking on whether the Nizams failed to take the advantage of not, Marquez said that the players who came on were also very good.

“You don’t plan on losing two players in one half. But, the players who entered were very good players. We had to take advantage of this situation, but we did not play well, especially in the first half,” pointed out the Spanish tactician.

Hyderabad FC have 26 points from 15 matches this season and are currently at the summit of the points table. The Nizams are followed by Kerala Blasters in the second position with 23 points from 13 matches. Similarly, Bengaluru FC and ATK Mohun Bagan complete the top four also have 23 points. But the Blues have played two more games than the Mariners.