Jose Ramirez Barreto tells DNA that the Kolkata side has learnt lessons from last year when they failed to register a single win in the first five matches; says the team is not worried about Churchills’ Odafa Okolie.
Expectations are running high this season…
I think when you are in a team like Mohun Bagan, the expectations of the supporters are very high. Especially, when you are playing in Kolkata in front of the home crowd, nothing less than a win will satisfy you. Having spent so much time in Kolkata, I have learnt to cope with this phenomenon.
Last year, it was so near yet so far for Mohun Bagan. How will you rate the team’s chances this year?
As far as last year is concerned, it were the first five matches that really turned the tables for us. We lost vital points early in the tournament. But this year, we hope the story will be different. The team is in good shape and the pre-season camp has done wonders for us. We have already shown our potential in the IFA shield and Durand Cup. I think we have the potential to bring the I-league title to Bengal.
After losing Baichung Bhutia, you seem to have quickly adapted with Edeh Chidi.
Chidi is a thorough professional and he knows that in India a foreigner gets very less time to adapt to a particular team. It’s good that we got to play together in the Durand Cup after I missed the IFA shield due to injury. I am enjoying his company upfront and hope to make it big with him in the I-league.
This year’s I-league is tipped to be a battle between you and Odafa Onyeka Okolie. How do you look at this rivalry?
Frankly speaking, Odafa is not on my mind at all. At this stage of my career, I think I have gone beyond individuality. Now, I don’t play for myself or to impress the crowd — I play to bring trophies for my team. So, no individual makes any difference to my game. But yes, Odafa has his merit but both of us are in good form and let’s see what happens on the match days.
Finally, who do you think will be Mohun Bagan’s biggest challenger this year?
Well, the tournament format is such that you can’t say anything. Infact, this year, with the number of teams increasing, it will be a tough task for all. Churchill looks to be in top form, but teams like Sporting Clube and Mahindra United can be dangerous on any given day. In fact, you can’t even count out East Bengal, though they haven’t had the best of starts this season. Just look at the way things happened for us last year…
