It is going to be a big success for us to finish in the top four: Chennaiyin FC head coach Bozidar Bandovic

Chennaiyin FC head coach Bozidar Bandovic reckons it is going to be a big success for his team if they are to finish among the top four in the ongoing Hero Indian Super League. The Marina Machans are currently in eighth place in the standings with five wins, six losses, and four draws. Thus, the two-time champions have 19 points under their bag from 15 matches.

Meanwhile, Chennaiyin FC had lost their previous match against defending champions Mumbai City FC by 1-0 on Sunday. Ergo, they will need to bounce back against FC Goa at the Tilak Maidan Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Bandovic admitted that it is going to be difficult for them to qualify for the semifinal stages as they are missing some of their key players.

Bandovic said in the pre-match press conference, “Difficult, but there are always chances, we have to give everything and we have to try everything. I’m always honest when these key players are out, we don’t have options. We have options but those are not the same. So you see, it’s very clear, that’s what I’m saying. I said even before, maybe when you hear this, it’s difficult to accept that. I said that it’s going to be a big success for us to finish in the top four”.

In fact, Marina Machans were not up to the mark in the previous match against reigning champions Mumbai City FC as they could not even take a single shot at the target.

Bandovic added, “Yes. I think sometimes when we play well, we had chances, but we didn’t score the goals. But now we have this team and we need to try our best. I think tactically, last game we did some things very well, but we made so many mistakes with the ball in our feet when we were not under the pressure. And, this was the one thing that we need to fix for the future, but the boys had a very good effort and they gave everything on the field for this game”.

Bandovic added that his team needs to maintain the balance between attack and defense. The head coach knows the team’s strengths as well as weaknesses and wants to help them come up with consistent performances.

Bandovic concluded, “You have a balance between attacking and defending. If you look even in the statistics, there’s somebody saying that we are playing defensive. If you see the statistics, there are most of the clubs coming close to creating chances, even us. So the system is not the problem. So what I believe is in this moment, without any excuses for myself, because I have contract (till) 30th March. Whatever the thing, the club is the best, I will support them and they know everything. I explained everything. Everything is very clear. I know the team about all the things, what they need to improve, with me or without me, so the situation is very clear”.