Chennaiyin is the team to beat: Materazzi

The Abhishek Bachchan and Vita Dani owned team has been one of the most consistent sides, qualifying for the semi-final in season one and winning the title in the next under the guidance of World Cup winner Marco Materazzi. 

Materazzi, who has a new Chennaiyin FC tattoo on his left leg, said the target is to win the title again. “I hope we have kept the pride of the city intact. We played for them and we will continue to do so. The target is to keep the trophy with us,” the coach said. 

The towering Italian said losing star striker Stiven Mendoza and Brazilian Elano Blumer has no impact on the team’s ambitions. “I personally chose all players with a lot of trust in them. I am here to talk about the players who are here and who have helped the team win. With or without certain players, we are going for a win,” Materazzi said.  

The coach said the approach to the league would be the same as last year’s. Chennaiyin were the last in the fair-play table and the coach said he wasn’t here to win discipline awards. “We are the team to beat. We have scored the most number of goals and have won the title. I can almost guarantee that we are not going to win fair-play awards but score goals and win the title,” Materazzi added.

Marquee player John Arne Riise said: “I see myself as a role model here and I hate to lose. I am a winner and I am here to help CFC win the title.”