Our goal was to gain three points, therefore this was a disappointing result for us.

ATK Mohun Bagan head coach Juan Ferrando was dissatisfied after his club was held to a 1-1 draw by Odisha FC in Match 100 of the Hero Indian Super League on Thursday at the Tilak Maidan Stadium in Vasco da Gama, Goa.

Odisha FC’s Redeem Tlang scored first, but ATKMB equalised minutes later when Joni Kauko converted a penalty. Mohun Bagan fell behind in the race for the league winner’s shield after being held scoreless by Odisha in the reverse encounter.

This draw keeps the Mariners in third place with 31 points from 17 games, while Odisha FC stays in seventh place with 23 points in 19 matches.

Ferrando addressed the media after the game.

Here are some excerpts from his press conference:

What is your assessment of today’s game?

Disappointing for us. Our target was to get three points. This is my thought for today’s game.

Do you think the dream to finish top is now gone?

It’s necessary to fight until the last moment. This is my target and our mentality. Till the last moment, we need to fight.

You said a lot of the players are not 100% fit. What is the status going into the final three games?

It’s difficult when you do the necessary substitutions for injuries. This is the reason because when players are ready you can do substitution depending on the performance, depending on that moment if you want to change the plan. But when you lose three substitutions for injuries it gets difficult. But this is not an excuse it’s a problem for all the teams because of quarantine and no training then you come to play two games in three days, it’s normal.

Roy Krishna gets a red card late in the game. Was that unnecessary and how big will it be a concern for you against Bengaluru FC?

Now, I think it’s necessary to take up the race and prepare for the Bengaluru FC game. Now it’s not necessary to talk because at this moment we need to keep calm and think for the next day.