Chennaiyin FC manager Marco Materazzi wants his team to remain focused

Chennaiyin FC thrashed FC Goa 4-0 in their last outing

Chennaiyin FC got their season back on track after recording the biggest away win in the history of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) when they smashed FC Goa 4-0 away from home. The win came as a major lift for last season’s semi-finalists after two defeats in the opening two games had left critics questioning their credentials.

With their credentials very much intact, Marco Materazzi’s men will now be looking to build on the success against Mumbai City FC. But the manager refused to take the hosts lightly.

“Mumbai City FC are a team we respect and I am expecting a really tough game against them. We had two very good results against them last season, but that counts for nothing now and we must perform well again to win here,” said the Chennaiyin FC manager.

The Italian was pleased with his side’s performance against FC Goa and was delighted with the clean sheet after two defensively poor displays.

“We played well against FC Goa and the best part was that we didn’t concede any goals. It was a good thing after we made some mistakes in the first game,” added Materazzi.

But the former Inter Milan defender refused to get carried away by that performance in Goa and called for similar maturity which the players portrayed against FC Goa.

“We have to be careful. The moment we start taking our opponent lightly, we give them a big chance. So we must have complete focus during the game and show our maturity against Mumbai City FC,” said Materazzi while speaking to the media ahead of the game.

All squad members fit and available: Materazzi

Chennaiyin FC have no injury concerns ahead of their game against Mumbai City FC, Materazzi confirmed. “All our players are fit. We don’t have injury concerns and we will go out on the pitch with the best possible physical and mental health,” revealed the Italian.

Materazzi was pleased with his side’s pre-season preparations and the overall organization of the league as he felt that the league has improved substantially from the first season. “This year we are more prepared. The calendar is strange as we play every three days, but we have learned from last season and our preparations started very early. Even the league is more organized this time around and that has helped us,” the Chennaiyin FC gaffer said.

Chennaiyin FC will have to keep up their momentum from their last win with more away games to come for Materazzi’s side and considering Mumbai City’s position in the league table, a win might be the order of the day Materazzi’s men.