ISL 2023-24: Chennaiyin eye first win, face Mohun Bagan Super Giant at home

Chennai, October 6, 2023: Chennaiyin FC will be eager to get their first win of the 2023/24 Indian Super League season in front of home support when they lock horns with Mohun Bagan Super Giant at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Saturday.

Marina Machans have not started the campaign as they might have liked to under Owen Coyle, losing their first two matches against Odisha FC and NorthEast United FC. In Mohun Bagan Super Giant they take on the table toppers who are yet to concede a loss this season.

But head coach Coyle wants his men to enter the field with a positive mindset and capitalise on the opportunity of playing at home.

“It’s exciting. It’s the first home game. We’re looking forward to the challenge of playing against a wonderful team. We’ll be more than very respectful of Mohun Bagan Super Giant but we’re not going there to stand back and admire.

“We are at home. We’re looking to put a smile on our fans’ faces. We’re looking to play on the front foot, be aggressive in terms of how we play. Attacking and that’s what we like to do. There’s no doubt we have to be at our very best to win the game,” Coyle commented during the pre-match press conference in Chennai on Friday.

The Scotsman heaped praise on this team but also highlighted the need to learn from the mistakes.

“Had we taken our chances, we very easily could have won both games. I would be worried if we weren’t creating chances in both games. You need to be clinical when your chances present yourself and equally at the back. We made some mistakes defensively and you obviously need to tighten up that area. And when you’re creating chances, make sure you put them in the back of the net,” he said.

Chennaiyin’s attack is also expected to be further boosted by the return of striker Rahim Ali, who missed the team’s first two matches as he was away national duty at the Asian Games. The 23-year-old said: “I will try to score goals because if you score goals, you win the match. They [Mohun Bagan Super Giant] have a good side. So we are prepared very well. And, yes, of course, we are ready for the match.”

Chennaiyin’s defender Ryan Edwards and local boy Alexander Romario Jesuraj were also present at the press conference. Edwards said the team is well balanced with good young as well as experienced players and there’s plenty of talent in the group.

“It’s a group full of good young as well as experienced players. So the balance is there. And with my experience, now I must help the younger lads. It’s a key role in not only my position, but in me as a person. And I think there’s plenty of talent in the group now,” Edwards said.

The two sides have played against each other six times in the league so far with Chennaiyin winning once while Mohun Bagan Super Giant have secured two victories.

The match will begin at 8pm IST as the fans can watch the action live on Viacom18 and JioCinema.

Head-to-head:
Matches: 6, CFC: 1, MBSG: 2, Draw: 3