ISL 2016: NorthEast United 1-2 Atletico de Kolkata - 5 talking points

#4 Velez and Romaric sorely missed

While Cullen had a decent game, NorthEast missed the likes of Velez and Romaric(Image courtesy: ISL)

NorthEast United went into the game fighting attrition as they were without the services of their midfield mainstay Romaric and last year’s top goalscorer Nicolas Velez, who has looked sharp yet again this season. And the depth of their squad or rather the lack of was exposed in the second half of the game.

With Postiga coming on, ATK were able to grab a hold of the possession as they began dictating the game and its pace. With Romaric missing in the middle, the Highlanders looked outmaneuvered in the middle of the park as Rowlin Borges and Wellington Priori were outclassed by the ATK trio of Postiga, Pearson, and Borja.

NorthEast looked desperately for anyone with an assured touch in the middle, but there was no one who came forward to the occasion.

Meanwhile, on the wings, Vingada sorely missed Velez, who with his electric runs and outrageous skills have taken many a defence for a ride. Whilst Cullen gave a good account of himself in the first half on the left-hand side of the pitch, he fizzled out of the game in the latter stages.