ISL: Chennaiyin FC player-manager Marco Materazzi - Alessandro Nesta has been signed to replace Mendoza

Chennaiyin FC player-manager Marco Materazzi confirmed Alessandro Nesta’s signing

Chennaiyin FC take on NorthEast United tomorrow at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati. The table-toppers also confirmed the signing of Alessandro Nesta to replace the injured John Stiven Mendoza.

Both teams would want to go for the win, as Chennaiyin will look to consolidate their position at the top of the table, while NorthEast United are now at the bottom of the table, and will want a much needed win. Here are the quotes from the pre-match press conference of Chennaiyin FC player-manager Marco Materazzi and forward Jeje Lalpekhlua

Marco Materazzi

On the NorthEast United game

Tomorrow is another important game for us because we still need five or six points to reach the semis and if we win tomorrow, then there is a 70% chance of us being in the semi-finals.

On the squad doing well

I said before the last game also, we may or may not reach the semis but I have a team. Everybody is hungry to contribute.

On Alessandro Nesta

Yes we have just signed him. He will replace Mendoza. I don't know yet when he will come as he now needs visa.

On why he replaced Mendoza with a defender

We have plenty of options in attack - Jeje, Balwant, Maurice, Bruno and Elano of course. If we had found any better attackers than what we have at the moment, we would have gone for a forward. So since we got a world class defender (in Nesta), we signed him.

Jeje Lalpekhlua

On his recent form

I am happy with my recent form but I have to maintain that and maybe even get better with every game.

On playing in the north-east

Yes it will be like a home game away from home for me. Some of my friends and family are coming but I am only focused on getting three points tomorrow and extend our lead at the top.