Posted by New Delhi: When summoned to resurrect their faltering campaign during the January transfer window, many Mohun Bagan fans were unsure what to expect from Antonio Lopez Habas.
The veteran had a reputation of being a no-nonsense guy but also of being a ‘defensive coach’. Habas didn’t like the tag one bit, always insisting that it was about ‘balance’ between offence and defence.
Yet, the irony of bringing back the man who made way for Juan Ferrando midway in the 2021-22 season wasn’t lost on many, as their expensively assembled team had an array of attacking stars.
But even the embarrassment of riches they possess didn’t seem to be enough as they exited the AFC Cup from the group stage after a hat-trick of losses followed by another three consecutive defeats in the Indian Super League.
It left them 10 points behind then leaders FC Goa and it became evident that the 43-year-old Ferrando was unable to control inflated egos and chalk up adequate plans to maintain consistency after their season-opening Durand Cup victory.
It needed an experienced hand who knows his way around players and demands discipline and focus from them. Habas had won two ISL Cups keeping faith on this mantra.
Being the technical director before taking over the reins, Habas was aware of the current Bagan players’ ability. Watching from the stands as they exited the Super Cup after a loss to East Bengal, the Spaniard took charge before the ISL resumed post the break for the AFC Asian Cup.
Raw, unfiltered, unhinged! What a night! 💚♥️#MBSG #JoyMohunBagan #আমরাসবুজমেরুন pic.twitter.com/3ds36FbVN4
— Mohun Bagan Super Giant (@mohunbagansg) April 15, 2024
Trust the process
His first game was the Kolkata Derby when they came from behind to force a 2-2 draw. Then they put together a run of three consecutive wins (2-0 vs Hyderabad, 1-0 away at Goa, 4-2 against NorthEast United.
“After the FC Goa match, coach (Habas said), ‘If you trust me and my work, we will be champions.’ And look, we are,” Habas’ assistant Manuel Cascallana said after their 2-1 win over Mumbai City on Monday that made them ISL Shield champions for the first time.
The first thing Habas did after taking charge wa bring a modicum of discipline among players, imposing fines for those who turn up late for training.
Two training sessions a day for two weeks before the draw against East Bengal on February 3 improved fitness of players and made them aware of his tactical demands.
As Cascallana pointed out, Habas was aware that he had more than enough firepower in his team, which only needed some ‘tough love’.
“We have the best squad in India, in the ISL. We only need them to play like a team. If they can play like the team, no one can stop us. So it was really easy. They combined from the first minute, they were working hard in the training sessions, on the pitch during the match,” Cascallana said.
Dropping the mercurial Hugo Boumous for the calmer Joni Kauko sent a message tht no one was indispensable. Fielding youngsters Dippendu Biswas, Amandeep, Abhishek Suryawanshi and recalling Deepak Tangri implied everyone was welcome provided they follow his instructions on the pitch and in training.
After a goalles draw with Odisha, momentum picked up again with a hat-trick of victories (3-0 vs Jamshedpur, 3-1 vs East Bengal and 4-3 against Kerala Blasters).
“Do you remember in the 19/20 season, everyone said that Habas is so defensive, he parks the bus in the goal?,” Habas had said after beating East Bengal in the return leg.
“Now we have players to play attacking football. I remember in 2015 the team was more attacking than any other team, now we have the necessary players to play attacking football and that is our idea. But it’s not just attacking, the transitions are complete when you defend and attack, and it’s not just attack, attack, attack.”
Stamp of authority
By then the team had adopted a three-man backline, shifting to a four men to preserve leads in the second half and alternate usage of strikers Armando Sadiku and Jason Cummins, the two high-profile signings who were fumbling earlier but distinctly mobile and eager now.
A sudden infection that kept him sidelined for a fortnight, in which they slumped to an unexpected 3-2 loss to Chennaiyin, could have unravelled their campaign.
But his trusted lieutenant Cascallana, who was also with him in his earlier spell at Bagan, carried on in the same vein, implementing all of Habas” ideas that he devised from his hotel room, talking in walkie talkies.
Beating Punjab 1-0 in New Delhi and then routing Bengaluru away made them face Mumbai, the defending Shield champions and their old nemesis against whom they were winless in eight previous ISL outings, needing a victory to win their maiden ISL league title.
Such a high-voltage match demanded Habas’ presence. The 67-year-old was far from being fully fit but still sat on the dugout as Liston Colaco and Cummins struck in a 2-1 win against Mumbai.
“I had won ISL Cup twice but not the Shield. So it’s good for me,” Habas said, with his usual shrug of the shoulders.
“They changed the coach halfway and they bring the energy and they have quality players. So credit also to them (for) how they managed the game and to win,” Mumbai coach Petr Kratky doffed his hat.
If adaptability is a hallmark for being a good coach, Habas showed plenty of it in his second spell at Mohun Bagan.