ISL 2015: Atletico de Kolkata 4-0 FC Goa - 5 Talking Points

Atletico de Kolkata produced an exceptional performance as they comfortably beat FC Goa 4-0 to move to the top of the table. Doutie scored a brace while Borja Fernandez and Ian Hume got on the score sheet as well. The Bengal Tigers registered their biggest win of the season and became the first team to hit the 20 point mark this year. As Habas’ said e went top of the table with a superb performance there were many things to reflect on for them as well as the visitors who came crashing down after their 7-0 win against Mumbai City FC in their last outing.Here are 5 talking points from the game.All images in this slideshow have been sourced from the ISL.

#1 Borja Fernandes crucial to Kolkatas midfield

Atletico de Kolkata’s skipper Borja Fernandes has been immense this season and is one of the few players to have played every one of the twelve games his team has been part of. Today the Spaniard scored a sublime goal to put his side 2-0 ahead against the Gaurs.

His long range power drive from outside the box caught goalkeeper, Laximant who had no chance to save the screamer, by surprise . To make it even more momentous, that goal was his first since the very first match of the ISL back in 2014.

That ball travelled at 93 km/hr right into the top left corner. His ability to spray inch perfect passes across the pitch was visible to all today. The midfielder has often exhibited why he is practically unbenchable and tonight was no different.

#2 Joffre needs to get more on the ball for Goa

Combative and skillful, Goa’s Spanish midfielder has only made 6 appearances this season so far. But he has 4 assists to his name already. A product of Barcelona’s youth system, Joffre often positions himself in those small pockets across the midfield.

This makes it difficult for more static defenses to mark him throughout the game. Generally, the onus has often been on Leo Moura to unlock miserly defenses. As a result, the opposition now tends to pay extra attention towards the Brazilian.

But Joffre can pick a pass like any other in the ISL and forms a potent partnership Moura in midfield. Tonight he was crowded out by Atletico’s midfield plus wasn’t fed in passes at regular intervals by his teammates. He was replaced at around the hour mark.

#3 Atletico de Kolkata dont need wingers to attack from the wings

As a unit, Habas’s men are most effective they operate from the middle. This is down to the number of creative midfielders they have. Nato, Borja and Gavilan all love to play their incisive passes from a more central position.

Apart from Izumi, Kolkata don’t really have out and out wingers in their squad. But tonight they showed how versatile they can be in their attacks. The source of a large number of offensive moves by them was from the wings. The likes of Hume and South African, Doutie drifted cleverly into the wings and made merry from it.

Doutie’s mobility tonight ensured that he could draw defenders towards him and he managed to create spaces in for his teammates in the process. The poise and composure he showed in the buildup to his goal was wonderful.

#4 Atletico de Kolkata played their best match of the tournament so far

Right from the get go, Habas’s men produced a scintillating display to catapult themselves to top spot in the points table. They made the Gaurs look weak throughout and opened them up with intent.

Atletico defended as one unit tonight and gave Goa’s danger men no time on the ball. The visitors just couldn’t get going and were pressed incessantly all across the pitch. Even at 4-0, Kolkata were full of endeavor and continued to commit numbers in attack.

As full time approached, the substitutes too tried hard to make an impact and get on the score sheet. Before tonight, the home side didn’t have a single clean sheet to their name since their final against Kerala last season. Tonight they finally added another are the first team to hit the 20 point mark this season.

#5 Goa still cant get the better of the Bengal Tigers

Both sides have met 6 times so far and Zico’s men haven’t won a single match against the current champions. Tonight the Gaurs were outplayed in every department. It was one of the rare nights when even Leo Moura couldn’t strut his stuff.

He was relentlessly hounded by Kolkata’s players. Goa generally play some fluid, open football but today the game looked too open even for Zico’s liking. Every time a Kolkata player got on the ball, he had 3-4 options always to pass to.

The high pressing game that Goa have adopted recently seemed to be missing tonight. Habas’ men were just too good in every department and Zico will be hoping they can finally get the better of Kolkata if and when they meet in the final four or beyond.