Topping the league stage means nothing if you crash out in the knockout rounds. That's the lesson Chennaiyin FC learnt in inaugural season of the Indian Super League (ISL) last year. With very little changes made to the side led by Marco Materazzi, Chennaiyin FC will look to carry on the winning momentum and deliver when it matters the most this season.
Retaining the core side was key for Materazzi. Elano became a household name last season with the Brazillian midfielder winning the Golden Boot after scoring eight goals. Having suffered a hamstring injury towards the latter stage of tournament, Elano would look to keep himself fit this time around.
Hoping to reduce the Brazillian's attacking burden would be his Corinthian team-mate Stiven Mendoza and Bruno Pellisari, another retained player. If the three remain fit and click right from the word go, Chennaiyin's attack could be one to reckon with.
What was also important for the Italian World Cup winner was getting a winning mentality in the dressing room. That was done with the signing of Atletico de Kolkata duo Edel and Fikru. Chennaiyin will hope their presence shows right from the word go as they begin their campaign against the Kolkata side in the tournament opener on October 3.
"It's important to show faith in players you had last season. That way, a better performance can be cherished even more. That said, we have the likes of Edel and Fikru which brings a lot to the dressing room. When we looked at the players we wanted, we looked at this certain characteristic," said the 42-year-old who will be involved only in a managerial capacity this year, as opposed to his role of player-manager last time around.
In terms of the Indian players, two key men from last season, Denson Devadas and Gouramangi Singh, have moved on to other franchises, But Chennaiyin have replaced them with Thoi Singh and the vastly experienced Mehrajuddin Wadoo. Singh, played a crucial role in Bengaluru FC's I-League triumph and with the Chennai side shelling out a fee of Rs 86 lakhs on the midfielder, he will be expected to repeat his performances in the ISL as well.
Chennaiyin also picked up goalkeeper Karanjit Singh in the auction, with Dhanpal Ganesh, Zakeer Mundampara, Lalmangaihsanga Ralte, Justin Stephen and Nidhin Lalwhile picked up in the draft. That aside, in Jeje Lalpekhlua, Balwant Singh and Jayesh Rane, Chennaiyin FC boast of one of the most balanced sides ahead of the tournament.
With the signings of Fikru and Edel along with much of the side retained, Chennaiyin do go into the tournament as strong favourites. Should Elano stay fit, there will be little stopping Materazzi and his men. But like last season proved, form in the league stages counts for nothing in the knockout stages. The Italian will look to do the job this time around.
KNOWYOUR TEAM
Chennaiyin FC
Coach: Marco Materazzi
Last season (group stage)
Played: 14
Won: 6
Drew: 5
Lost: 3
Goals scored: 25
Goals conceded: 24
Top goal-scorer: Elano (8)
Retained players
Foreigners: Bernard Mendy, Bruno Pelissari, Elano (marquee)
Indians: Mohammed Ismail, Dhanachandra Singh, Harmanjot Khabra, Jayesh Rane, Balwant Singh, Jeje Lalpekhlua
Players signed
Foreigners: Fikru Teferra, Apoula Edel, Eder, Raphael Augusto, Mailson Alves, Manuele Blasi, Alessandro Potenza, Stiven Mendoza
Indians: Karanjit Singh, Dhanpal Ganesh, Justin Stephen, Godwin Franco, Thoi Singh, Nidhin Lal, Abhishek Das, Lalhmangaihsanga, Zakeer Mudampara
