Chennaiyin FC face an uphill task as they face Kerala Blasters FC in a Hero Indian Super League second leg semifinal encounter at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai on Tuesday.
Kerala Blasters registered a convincing 3-0 win courtesy to goals by Ishfaq Ahmed, Iain Hume and Sushanth Mathew in the first leg played in Kochi.
“It will be very difficult but we believe we can do it. The first half will be very important because if we can get a goal or two, we will put Kerala Blasters under pressure,” Chennaiyin FC’s player-cum-coach Marco Materazzi stated at the pre-match press conference on Monday.
“Yes that will be crucial (not to concede goals) so we have to play as a team from the first to the last whistle. We have to defend from the front and take whatever chances comes our way. It is still only halftime in the two-legged tie so anything is still possible.”
“At the start of the tournament Chennaiyin wasn’t fancied by anyone but as the league stage progressed, it was clear to everyone that we are a top team. So maybe in the latter stages the opponents raised their game further and adopted different strategy to play against us,” the former Italy international told.
Experienced defender and former Manchester United star Mikaël Silvestre said, “It will be vital to have the right balance because we can’t just go out there and think we will score three easily. We have to show compactness while defending and of course create as many chances as possible.”
“The most important thing tomorrow will be to produce a performance because we know Kerala Blasters are expected to go through and have everything to lose whereas we have everything to gain.”
“We have to fight for the 90 minutes first and then if needed beyond that also. We have to show again that we are a team,” the Frenchman concluded.
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