Thomas Brdaric: We are focused to get to the playoffs

Some important injury updates were also provided by the Chennaiyin FC head coach.

Chennaiyin FC will be taking on Jamshedpur FC on 7th January after a gap of two weeks. This will be Chennaiyin FC’s second away game after losing a close encounter to Mumbai City (1-2). In the reverse fixture, Thomas Brdaric's side defeated Jamshedpur FC (3-1) in their home game. A win here will place them seventh in the ISL 2022-23 points table with 17 points, but they will inch closer to the top six with Odisha FC the closest opposition with 19 points.

A day prior to the game, Chennaiyin FC head coach Thomas Brdaric addressed the pre-match press conference. Here's what he had to say.

Thoughts on Jamshedpur FC

Jamshedpur FC were the ISL Shield winners in season 8 under Owen Coyle but their fortunes changed completely this season, as they have registered only one win in 12 matches.

Thomas Brdaric said, “Jamshedpur FC are the reigning champions and are a good side. We do not underestimate any team and have analysed their previous games. We have already won against them earlier, but that will not matter now.”

Chances of going into the top four

Chennaiyin FC are currently placed seventh with 14 points and a win against Jamshedpur tomorrow will see them get closer to the sixth spot. Most of the side's matches in ISL 2022-23 have been close ones, some of them which could have gone either way.

The head coach iterated, “We came here to develop and have started from zero. Overall, we have been a competitive team with a good atmosphere. Most of our matches have been close (especially the last match against MCFC). So, we are learning and analysing our mistakes. The target is to get to the playoffs and we are focused on it too."

Development of young Indian players in the ISL

Chennaiyin FC have provided good opportunities to youngsters this season, with Vincy Barretto and Jiteshwor Singh standing out with their impressive displays.

The 47-old-old mentioned, ”Many youngsters are talented and in Chennaiyin FC we have Vincy Barretto who is very talented, although he has the experience and is not very young. He has been playing good football, which was evident in the last encounter against Mumbai City. We are here to guide them and the players too, are putting in a good effort."

Overall performance of CFC in the first half

The Marina Machans have scored the second most goals in this season and are only behind Mumbai City. On the other hand, they have conceded the second most, with only NorthEast United digesting more than them.

Thomas Brdaric pointed out both positives and negatives and said, “Looking at the stats, we have scored many goals and on a similar day conceded many. Our defence, which has been making mistakes at crucial junctures, needs to improve.”

Injury Updates

Debjit Majumdar is not in the squad due to a groin injury and Nasser El Khayati is still under the process of recovery.