Goa: Two-time ISL Champion Chennaiyin FC will go in search of the first victory at their designated home ground GMC Athletic Stadium in Bambolim as they take on second-placed ATK Mohun Bagan on Tuesday evening in the Indian Super League.
CFC have the chance to make things right from Saturday’s 2-2 draw away at SC East Bengal and make a charge up the table, as they are currently in seventh place with nine points. Chennaiyin will take on an Antonio Habas-coached side for the first time this season in their final game of 2020, having lost out 1-3 to ATK in last season’s final.
Bracing for a second consecutive game against a Kolkata outfit, the Csaba Laszlo coached Chennaiyin outfit can take confidence from the number of chances they have created in every game they have played.
At the same time, their endeavour will be to iron out the profligacy in front of goal and take more of those chances, against what will be a stubborn ATK Mohun Bagan defence with the likes of Sandesh Jhingan and Tiri among them. ATKMB themselves will come into this one in a confident mood, having beaten Bengaluru FC 1-0 in their previous game on December 21.
Slovakian striker Jakub Sylvestr came close on numerous occasions against SC East Bengal, and he along with the likes of Rafael Crivellaro will be hoping to come good against Habas’ side. Speedy Mizoram winger Lallianzuala Chhangte finally opened his account for the season for CFC, scoring the opener against East Bengal.
Another young prospect in Rahim Ali will be aiming to add to the two goals he has scored in the last two games, with a second club from his birthplace Kolkata in his sights up next. Laszlo will be boosted by the return of right-back Reagan Singh at the back. The Hungarian tactician will be drilling down the importance of defending better from set-pieces against an organized ATKMB outfit, after having conceded two soft goals from corners against East Bengal.
In terms of other team news, it remains to be seen whether Portuguese forward Isma Goncalves will be fit to feature, after having missed the previous three games through injury sustained in the game against Mumbai City FC on December 9. Laszlo did mention in his pre-match media briefing that Isma could make it to the bench against ATKMB.
The Chennaiyin gaffer was in a candid mood, reflecting on his side’s showing in front of goal so far this season. “It is incredible the number of chances we create. We have to be converting more of these opportunities. At the same time, I am delighted to see more Indian goalscorers; seeing (Rahim) Ali and (Lallianzuala) Chhangte get on the scoresheet is very pleasing. We are working in the right direction, and I am hopeful of a positive result to end the year,” Laszlo said while speaking to the press.
