Former champion Atletico de Kolkata (ATK), which will draw strength from a fairly successful sojourn, returns home to take on bottom-dweller FC Goa on Sunday.
The Rabindra Sarobar Stadium did give the host a favourable start when it held defending champion Chennaiyin FC 2-2.
Having beaten Kerala Blasters (1-0) and held a rejuvenated FC Mumbai City 1-1 in the last two outings, the ATK camp sounded motivated enough to keep its unbeaten run intact.
Also, ATK has not lost a game against Goa in the previous six meetings. ATK coach Jose Molina chose to be cautious and warned his team against complacency.
“We have played three good matches but I don’t want to be extra confident. It will be a tough match as Goa will fight hard and try to win their first points,” Molina said.
The availability of marquee player Helder Postiga remains a mystery.
The Portuguese is recovering from a chest injury he suffered against Kerala Blasters in the second round. As Molina suggested, he would continue to remain on the sidelines.
Juan Balencoso is likely to lead the line in the 4-2-3-1 formation Molina has adopted so far.
The host has bolstered its defence by signing Portuguese central defender, Henrique Sereno Fonseca as a replacement for the injured Pablo Jose Gallardo Zurera.
This will give Molina some relief as his other defender Tiri was nursing a leg muscle injury.
For Zico, this has been the worst start so far. But the Brazilian sought to remain positive ahead of the match.
“We have no points now, but if we win tomorrow we will be just two points behind ATK. Our aim is to be in top-four. The two teams which won the title previously were not on top of the table after the league stage,” Zico said, adding that he has no injury worries.
