Picture courtesy Chennaiyin FC
Chennaiyin FC are set to take on Atlético de Kolkata in a Hero Indian Super League (ISL) game at home on Tuesday.
Player-cum-coach Marco Materazzi and striker Jeje Lalpekhlua faced the media at the pre-match press conference on Monday to talk about the match.
“It is going to be a close game. Atletico are a good side so we have to be at our best on all departments. We are all expecting a good turnout,” Chennaiyin FC and Indian national team striker Jeje Lalpelkhlua told.
Marco Materazzi thinks that the team spirit will be a key factor for his side. “They are a very good side with or without Fikru. We have to show the same team spirit and attitude to win tomorrow. It is a good opportunity for us to overtake them but we first have to focus on a good performance.”
“People might think we only play on counter attacks but we have scored many goals so it is not only counter attacks. We have showed quality going forward against Mumbai and will try to repeat that tomorrow.”
Asked if he will be playing against Atlético, the Italian told, “I don’t know. I will decide tomorrow about the team.”
Jeje stated that playing with quality foreigners like Materazzi is a boost for the Indian players. “Some of us still can’t believe that Elano and Marco Materazzi are our teammates. When you have such players around it becomes easy to perform. There is a great understanding between the Indians and foreigners.”
“It was important to respond immediately after the defeat to Delhi,” Jeje told on the last game against Mumbai City FC. “It was a convincing win for us but more than that, our performance was exceptional so it will give us a lot of confidence for the next game.”