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Following a draw in their last game, Chennaiyin FC would look to dish out a more focused and disciplined performance when they take on defending champions Mumbai City FC in a crucial Indian Super League match at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Sunday.
While addressing the media during a virtual pre-match press conference, Chennayin FC’s head coach Bozidar Bandovic minced no words when he said that keeping the momentum for the entire 90 minutes would be key to the team’s success against a “dangerous side” like Mumbai City FC.
“We want to play the same way as we did against SC East Bengal because we played a very good first half. We need to keep dominating the game. There were some issues tactically and we are trying to rectify them. We did very well, but the second half was totally different,” Bandovic said.
“We need to be very careful to not concede a goal. We did well and we should continue the same.”
“Next, we are playing against one of the best teams, they (Mumbai City FC) have very good players, very strong team. They are the champions so we need to be focused and disciplined for the entire 90 minutes,” he added.
The Marina Machans are currently in the seventh position on the points table with 19 points from 14 games and a win against Mumbai City FC will definitely give them a boost going into the business end of the tournament.
Bandovic said his backline needs to be more vigilant as they wish to secure full three points against The Islanders.
“I want the players to keep playing the first half the same way they played in the last game. We need to keep our full concentration, especially in the defense and set pieces. We didn’t mark well and you can see that by the way we conceded the goal,” he further said.
The 52-year-old Montenegrin coach said the statistics augurs well for his side. He, however, warned his players against any complacency.
“It’s a good thing but from other angle I must say they are a champion side. If you see their squad, it’s a best squad, individually they are very good players. They are very dangerous in combination play, set pieces.”
“They have no pressure. They will play freely. But we can say there is a chance because they didn’t win games. We need to be good. Yes, it’s our chance, we would look to use it,” Bandovic concluded.
Both the teams share a healthy rivalry when it comes to head-to-head as they have won six matches each from 15 played between them so far. In their earlier meeting this season at the same venue, Mumbai City FC eked out a close 1-0 win.
But come Sunday, the Chennai outfit will look to level the scores and return to winning ways.
