‘Chennaiyin FC are missing Mendoza badly’

Marco Materazzi had always stressed the importance of winning three points every match they play at home. Chennaiyin were drubbed by Delhi Dynamos in their first home match, but pulled up their socks in the second against FC Goa to register their first win of the season. 

While the win kept the fans happy, experts of the game aren’t too pleased with the team’s effort. Former Tamil Nadu and India U-16 coach C M Ranjith said Chennaiyin are not up to the mark. “Compared to last year, they aren’t good. Chennaiyin are missing a match winner in Elano or Mendoza badly. They create pressure for the opponents and that is lacking this year,” Ranjith said. 

The veteran said that Materazzi cannot continue with the same winning combination. “There has to be a change. Jeje has to be included as strikers lacked creativity inside the opponents’ box. Although Chennai scored two goals, there was no major threat to FC Goa. There was no play on the wings. It was a gamble Materazzi had to take after a draw and a loss and it worked. But this combination of players cannot be continued,” Ranjith said. 

The former coach said the absence of Mailson Alves left a gaping hole in the Chennaiyin defence. 

“The Brazilian was excellent in his job as a defender. The experienced Mendy has been a let-down this season so far. I think age is catching up with him and the marquee player Riise has been the only bright spot in the backline,” Ranjith added. 

The former coach said Tamil Nadu player Nallappan Mohanraj has to change his style of play to be more lethal as a left-back. “He has been missing his position a lot. He leaves big gap as he makes his overlapping runs and thus allows the opponents in the penalty area. He is not doing bad as projected but he has to change the way he is playing to get maximum results,” Ranjith said. 

The coach said Chennaiyin’s primary target should be to get full points from the remaining home matches. “They cannot afford to be complacent. We are strongest at home and should maximise that advantage. It is good that we drew ATK away and beating them at home would be the toughest challenge,” he added.