Atletico de Kolkata cannot afford to relax in the Indian Super League football semifinal against a resurgent Chennaiyin FC against whom the reigning champions have an all-win record this season, head coach Antonio Habas said here today.
"We have to forget the past, this is football. We should not forget that it's not group stage and a loss can jeopardise our chance," Habas told reporters on the eve of their departure to Pune, which has been made Chennai's home ground for the first leg due to the flood situation back home.
ATK will have an 28-member full strength squad at their disposal barring their marquee player Helder Postiga who has virtually been ruled out of the season.
Chennaiyin FC, on the other hand, will miss out on their star Brazilian recruit Elano Blumer who faces suspension for the first leg of the semifinals at Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex at Balewadi in Pune December 12.
ATK had begun their title defence with a 3-2 win in Chennai in the ISL opener before securing a 2-1 victory in the home leg.
After having been on the brink of exit, Chennaiyin FC bounced back in style registering four wins on the trot and thereby finishing third in the table to make the cut. The momentum will be with Chennaiyin unlike ATK who had lost to Mumbai City FC in their last round league match.
Giving credit to Chennaiyin head coach Marco Materazzi for their stunning turnaround, Habas said: "The credit goes to him, the team showed great character. They will be a tough opponent.
