The Marina Machans will be on the road for the seventh time this season already against the Mariners.
Chennai, November 28, 2024: Chennaiyin FC will be looking to return to winning ways when they take on Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the 2024-25 Indian Super League at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday.
Chennaiyin have faced Mohun Bagan Super Giant eight times in the ISL, winning twice. The Marina Machans won the corresponding fixture last season 3-2, with a 97th-minute winner from Irfan Yadwad. Five points separate the two sides currently, but Owen Coyle’s men can close that gap with the right result.
“I think it’s a brilliant game for us to get back to our best,” Coyle told the media during the pre-match press conference in Chennai on Thursday. “I think we let ourselves down a little bit last time in terms of the result. We had big chances to get in front against Kerala; we had a great chance to equalise. But, we gave away really soft goals from our point of view. Certainly in that aspect, we need to be better against Mohun Bagan because they’ll test us.”
“There were over 200 fans in Kerala the other night and I really felt for them, because we are better than what we showed overall. But, that’s why we have to go to Mohun Bagan and show what we are made of, both in terms of mentality, but equally, if we have aspirations to reach the playoffs, these are the arenas you want to play in and you want to win. It’s a great test and we are looking forward to it,” he added.
Chennaiyin have been at the forefront of chance creation this season in the ISL, with playmaker Connor Shields–who was absent with illness against Kerala–leading the charts with 34 chances created in eight games. Commenting on the same was forward Irfan.
“We have been creating a lot of chances in the league. We are doing good individually, but as a team, we need to do more when it comes to taking our chances and scoring goals,” Irfan said.
Lastly, Coyle confirmed that Shields was able to train with the team on Thursday and may be in contention for the game on Sunday. Additionally, he will be able to call upon PC Laldinpuia against Mohun Bagan following his one-game suspension. The head coach also mentioned that fullback Ankit Mukherjee is inching towards a full recovery and could return to action in the coming weeks.
Head-to-Head
Matches: 8 | CFC: 2 | MBSG: 3 | Draws: 3
