ISL 2015: Will Zico's anger help high-flying Goa end win-less streak against Atletico de Kolkata?

“I was not supposed to come here today, but as a matter of respect for you guys I came here,” Zico shocked a room full of journalists moments into his pre-match conference on Saturday as the Brazilian described FC Goa’s ordeal of not getting a practice venue to train ahead of the Gaurs’ match against Atletico de Kolkata.

“It’s a matter of disrespect for us,” the Brazilian told. “There’s a rule that the hosts will provide the training facilities. But we could not practice here. Not only did we not practice at the venue but we did not get to train at the practice ground,” said Zico in disdain as FC Goa were denied practice at the BMC ground adjacent to the stadium.

The table toppers are aiming to break their winless streak against the defending champions on Sunday. In three ninety-minute encounters so far, Atletico have won once and played out two draws. Antonio Habas’ side also defeated Zico’s men on penalties en route to the final last season.

FC Goa’s technically gifted players have found it difficult in the past to break down the orgnaised Atletico defence. Although he has been tactically outwitted by Habas in past, Zico refused to acknowledge there was any form of personal rivalry against the Spaniard. “There is no revenge or rivalry. I have come here to do my job. I don’t want to be better than anyone or to be bad. Hopefully, I can do good things with the FC Goa team,” Zico told the reporters.

FC Goa will come into the match on the back of a 7-0 victory over Mumbai City FC, a display which firmly established the Gaurs as favourites for the Indian Super League title and Antonio Habas is aware of the threat Zico’s men pose to his team’s semi-final chances. “Goa is first in the league and we play against them. It is a more important game for us and I think the most difficult till now,” the Atletico manager said.

With eighteen points already in the kitty and four more matches to go, FC Goa have all but qualified for the knock-out rounds. Zico, however, assured complacency will not be an issue for the visitors. “For us, we always play to win. There’s no guarantee in football even if we score seven in a game. There is no complacency. We have our feet on the ground and we are serious contenders,” said the Brazilian.

When asked about the lack of clean sheets so far in the competition and whether it would be a cause of concern, considering FC Goa’s attacking riches, Antonio Habas told FirstPost, “Each game is a different game. Goa are in a great moment in the league right now, but ATK are prepared to win.”

With a number of sub-plots encapsulating the crucial match, both managers have contrasting fortunes when it comes to their centre forwards. While Dudu Omagbeni announced himself on the grand stage of Indian Super League with a hattrick in the last game, Helder Postiga is yet to turn out for the Kolkata outfit since his injury on the opening day of the tournament.

“I have known him since his FC Pune City stint last year. I was surprised that no one picked him ahead of the second season. We are happy with the opportunity to get him in our side now. He is a good player,” Zico speaks highly of Dudu, the 30-year-old Nigerian forward, who was linked with a move to Atletico de Kolkata as well.

Antonio Habas, on the contrary, looked frustrated with the repeated enquiries into his marquee signing’s fitness status. “Postiga is not playing because he is injured. We are waiting for him. I need Postiga as much as I need others. I don’t know when he will be back,” the Spaniard clarified.

With the group stages in its final phase, a positive result for either side would play a crucial role in determining the eventual top four of the Indian Super League.