Mohun Bagan Super Giant head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis and midfielder Samir Zeljkovic addressed the media ahead of the Mariners’ upcoming ISL fixture against Punjab FC. The pre-match press conference saw the Coach discuss the team's preparations, tactical improvements, injury concerns and the challenge of facing his former club, while Samir reflected on his previous outing with Punjab FC.
Speaking about the preparations following the disappointing performance against Chennaiyin FC, Coach Panos revealed the following:
Addressing the selection of Subhasish Bose, who came on as a substitute in the previous match, Panos explained that there was a specific tactical reason behind the decision. He wanted Bose's left-footed attacking qualities to help the team against Chennaiyin's pacey right-wingers. The coach also praised Bose's professionalism and patience despite not starting regularly.
Panos also spoke about facing Punjab FC, where he previously worked as a coach. He shared his admiration for Punjab head coach Pavlos and revealed that Pavlos had been his mentor at the beginning of his coaching career in 2010. However, the Greek coach made it clear that professional responsibilities came first!
Dismissing comparisons between the upcoming fixture and the IFA Shield encounter against Punjab, and explaining those circumstances as entirely different, with several players unavailable and others playing out of position during that match, he spoke on Punjab's physical approach and pressing.
Regarding the availability of Jamie Maclaren, Panos confirmed that the striker would undergo another assessment before the match. If he is fit enough to join the squad from the bench, the coaching staff will consider including him. Miguel, however, remains unavailable due to injury, while Apuia's condition was to be assessed after his prolonged illness.
When questioned about finding the right balance in the Playing-XI amid several injury concerns, the coach expressed confidence in the depth of his squad, stating that Mohun Bagan have 22 players capable of covering multiple positions.
He also kept the door open for opportunities for young Indian players such as Sayan Banerjee and Roshan Singh, saying that he would not hesitate to give them chances if he felt it would benefit the team!
Responding to questions about Mohun Bagan's lack of dominance this season, Panos disagreed with the assessment, citing the team's performances against East Bengal, NorthEast United and Delhi. However, he admitted that he was not satisfied with even the team's domination against NorthEast United and reiterated that the Chennaiyin performance was not good enough.
On the team's goal-scoring concerns, Panos maintained his faith in the players, insisting that everyone in the squad is capable of scoring! He acknowledged that the team had been working extensively on finishing and creating more pressure in the final third.
Midfielder Samir Zeljkovic also addressed the media ahead of facing his former club. Reflecting on Mohun Bagan's previous performance, Samir admitted that it was a disappointing outing for the entire team.
The midfielder expressed hope that the previous match was simply a bad day and stressed the importance of setting the tempo from the opening minute, particularly at their home stadium.
Speaking about facing Punjab FC, Samir acknowledged his respect for his former teammates and the quality they possess! He said:
When asked about his preferred position on the pitch, Samir made it clear that he is most comfortable playing in midfield.
Speaking about the preparations following the disappointing performance against Chennaiyin FC, Coach Panos revealed the following:
"We recognise and identify the things that we didn't do well. During these days, we had a lot of individual meetings with the players and meetings with the whole team. We changed some things and tried to work on them during the sessions."
Addressing the selection of Subhasish Bose, who came on as a substitute in the previous match, Panos explained that there was a specific tactical reason behind the decision. He wanted Bose's left-footed attacking qualities to help the team against Chennaiyin's pacey right-wingers. The coach also praised Bose's professionalism and patience despite not starting regularly.
Panos also spoke about facing Punjab FC, where he previously worked as a coach. He shared his admiration for Punjab head coach Pavlos and revealed that Pavlos had been his mentor at the beginning of his coaching career in 2010. However, the Greek coach made it clear that professional responsibilities came first!
"Believe me, I am an emotional person for sure! I have connections with all these players and with the club, but when you are coaching Mohun Bagan, there is no time to think about emotions or feelings. You have to be focused and win this game because of the pressure!"
"We have to address a team that might press or might be solid at the back. The basic thing is that we must have speed of action and speed of the ball, something that we are missing. Play generally a little bit faster."
Regarding the availability of Jamie Maclaren, Panos confirmed that the striker would undergo another assessment before the match. If he is fit enough to join the squad from the bench, the coaching staff will consider including him. Miguel, however, remains unavailable due to injury, while Apuia's condition was to be assessed after his prolonged illness.
When questioned about finding the right balance in the Playing-XI amid several injury concerns, the coach expressed confidence in the depth of his squad, stating that Mohun Bagan have 22 players capable of covering multiple positions.
He also kept the door open for opportunities for young Indian players such as Sayan Banerjee and Roshan Singh, saying that he would not hesitate to give them chances if he felt it would benefit the team!
Responding to questions about Mohun Bagan's lack of dominance this season, Panos disagreed with the assessment, citing the team's performances against East Bengal, NorthEast United and Delhi. However, he admitted that he was not satisfied with even the team's domination against NorthEast United and reiterated that the Chennaiyin performance was not good enough.
On the team's goal-scoring concerns, Panos maintained his faith in the players, insisting that everyone in the squad is capable of scoring! He acknowledged that the team had been working extensively on finishing and creating more pressure in the final third.
"We did a lot of sessions about finishing. We tried to put a little bit more pressure in the last part. Let's hope that tomorrow it will start!"
Midfielder Samir Zeljkovic also addressed the media ahead of facing his former club. Reflecting on Mohun Bagan's previous performance, Samir admitted that it was a disappointing outing for the entire team.
"You are right. The last game wasn't a good performance, especially from everyone in our team. We know it, we analysed it and we will try tomorrow to be much better because this team really has quality!"
The midfielder expressed hope that the previous match was simply a bad day and stressed the importance of setting the tempo from the opening minute, particularly at their home stadium.
Speaking about facing Punjab FC, Samir acknowledged his respect for his former teammates and the quality they possess! He said:
"Always when you play against your former team, everyone says put your emotions aside and be professional. That's the truth!
I respect them a lot. I played with most of them last season. They have also brought good foreign players."
When asked about his preferred position on the pitch, Samir made it clear that he is most comfortable playing in midfield.
"I think coach knows that I am most comfortable playing in midfield. That's the position I play here and that's the position I played last year [at Punjab FC]."
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