Chennaiyin FC now has a minor problem; a problem nevertheless. With Bruno Pelissari hinting that he would like to start, after having showed his prowess adequately in the last two matches, will coach Marco Materazzi retain the 22-year-old Brazilian, or bring in Elano Blumer, the marquee player?
When it takes on Mumbai City FC — a team beset by indifferent form and infighting — here on Tuesday in a Hero-Indian Super League match, it would be interesting to see whom the chief coach prefers. Either way, it will be advantage Chennaiyin as it has an unbeaten record against its opponent.
With 16 points from 12 matches, Chennaiyin is placed fifth on the table and it will be looking to end its home game with a victory.
Meanwhile, the visitor’s performance in the league has been disastrous. With three losses and three draws in its last six matches, it is currently placed seventh. Even if it wins both the game, its play-off berth depends on other results.
Nicolas Anelka, coach-cum-marquee player of Mumbai City, was quite candid while assessing his team. “We deserve to be where we are (now). Our team is not the strongest. In the middle and back, we don’t have quality players. We should be strong on our heads, we should have the fighting spirit. I’ve played at the highest level. So, I know how to win games. We should have done better,” said the 36-year-old Frenchman. “We are still mathematically in. In football anything is possible.”
Anelka has persisted with a 4-2-3-1 formation in majority of the matches, with French striker Fred Piquionne starting in majority of them. The former World Cupper, however, disappointed his fans by ruling himself out, citing an injury.
Though Chennaiyin will be richly served in the striking zone, it will miss the services of midfielder Harmanjot Khabra, who is serving a suspension.
Materazzi emphasised the importance of his team's victory in the previous two home matches [against Kerala Blasters and Delhi Dynamos]. “Yes, I would say that after the Kolkata game, everything depended on us. Our guys did well in creating two chances; now two more games are left. They’ve learnt their lessons now and they will create the third chance,” he said.
When asked whether he will rest Elano, the marquee player, as he did against Kerala Blasters at home as a strategic decision, Materazzi said individuals don’t matter.
“The most important thing is to shift the attention from an individual to a team. Everyone has to understand that it’s important to be a team and play as one. So, far, it has been good,” he said.
