ISL 2024-25: Chennaiyin takes on in-form Bengaluru FC with hopes to finish year on a high

ISL 2024-25: Chennaiyin takes on in-form Bengaluru FC with hopes to finish year on a high

A struggling Chennaiyin FC will look to end its year on a positive note when it takes on a formidable Bengaluru FC side in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 clash at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Saturday.

With four wins and three draws in 13 games so far this season, Owen Coyle’s men sit ninth in the table, three points off the playoff spot, and will be raring for a statement win against their neighbours.

On the other hand, BFC comes into the tie on the back of a hard-fought 2-2 draw against FC Goa, which left it second in the standings with 24 points, five behind Mohun Bagan Super Giant that has played a game more.

CFC has managed to keep only two clean sheets and Coyle asserted the need to defend well from the players out front. “It is very much about the team and how you defend from the front. We need to put them (BFC) under enough pressure so that they cannot attack the way they would like,” Coyle said during the pre-match press conference.

With captain Ryan Edwards set to miss the tie with suspension and defensive midfielder Elsinho out with injury, Coyle said that he trusts his Indian defenders to approach the southern derby positively.

“If I was one of those young boys, I’d be thinking ‘Wow, what a game to play’. I would be like I have got a chance to play against Sunil Chhetri. I would be excited about that opportunity…to go out and want to get that clean sheet, knowing that you’re playing your part and helping your team win a game…a local rivalry,” said Coyle.

Coyle could field an all-Indian back line with the experienced Mandar Rao Desai getting himself back in the starting line-up after a two-game hiatus. He could slot in alongside 21-year-old centreback Bikash Yumnam, who has started in seven of CFC’s nine previous games.

The host’s midfield will be boosted by the return of Scotsman Connor Shields, who served a one-match ban during its 0-1 loss against Mumbai City FC in the previous matchday.

Coyle said that he would make a late call on top-scorer Wilmar Jordan Gil’s inclusion in the squad, depending on his recovery after receiving a knock. Daniel Chima Chukwu is likely to be the replacement and will be keen on ending an eight-game goalless streak.

While CFC has managed to win only one home game this season, it will be motivated by the fact that both of the visitors’ defeats in the league have come on the road and that they have managed to win only one of its five away matches so far.

Despite this, head coach Gerard Zaragoza expressed optimism regarding his side’s away performances this season, compared to last year, where it could not eke out a single win.

“I think that we progressed a lot from last season away from home and this is the way that we want to continue (against Chennaiyin),” Zaragoza said.

He is expected to stick with his trusted back four comprising veterans Aleksandar Jovanović and Rahul Bheke, aided by spirited Naorem Roshan Singh and Nikhil Poojary on the wings.

Spaniard Pedro Capo could dictate play from the midfield alongside Suresh Singh Wangjam while the competition’s all-time top-scorer Chhetri is expected to spearhead the attack.

While speaking about the upcoming fixture, Zaragoza gave his counterpart sufficient respect and said that Coyle’s side deserved more points than what it has achieved so far.

“They are a strong team, I like their coach and they have a different way of playing than what we have. They are dangerous in crosses, in set-pieces and we need to be better in that kind of moments of the game,” he said.