ISL 2025-26: Clifford Miranda expresses concern over pitch quality ahead of FC Goa clash

Chennaiyin FC will play their first home game of the 2025/26 ISL season against FC Goa.

Chennaiyin FC has had a difficult start to the season, winning only one of their four games in the 2025/26 Indian Super League (ISL). Their season began with consecutive losses against Mumbai City FC and Mohun Bagan SG. However, they have subsequently fought back and moved up the points table.

They drew 1-1 against TG Purushothaman’s Odisha FC before winning their last game against the Kerala Blasters at Kochi. The scheduling has also been extremely tough in the first four games, with the Marina Machans forced to play all of their matches away from home.

However, they are now heading back to Chennai for a five-game homestand. The first hurdle comes against FC Goa, Clifford Miranda’s previous club, who has had a fantastic start to the season with no defeats in five games.

Head coach Clifford Miranda and Nigerian striker Daniel Chima Chukwu spoke to the media before the game, answering questions about the field, the opposition, goal-scoring troubles, and more.

Clifford Miranda on plans to stop Dejan Drazic:

Facing FC Goa, any side must stop Dejan Drazic from establishing into the game, since the Serbian forward has contributed to all of the Gaurs’ goals this season. When asked if there is something specific to stop Drazic, Clifford Miranda emphasized structural discipline over a man-marking approach.

“I don’t give away the plan if there is any, but we try to stop the opponent as a team and as a group. We don’t usually go for that man-marking. That is not our style, that is not our way, but we work in groups, and we work in teams. Besides that, Drazic is not the only threat.”

“Sometimes, if you try to neutralise the only threat that has been a threat in all the games and you go to see if someone else takes advantage of their teammates, and then you lose the game, or you concede a goal, whether he is scoring or someone else is scoring, you lose the football game. So, we try to stop the opponent as a team and as a group”, insisted Clifford Miranda.

Clifford Miranda addresses goal-scoring woes

Chennaiyin FC is one of the league’s lowest scoring teams this season, with only two goals in four games, while Goa conceded just two goals in five games. In fact, they have only scored three times in seven games under Clifford Miranda. The head coach insisted that goals would start coming as players are gradually adjusting to a possession-based style as opposed to Owen Coyle’s long-ball strategy.

“The players that I have are more used to the direct way of playing football. I’m not saying wrongly. It’s another way of playing football. So, for them to be able to change to a different way of playing takes time. And as I said, the sooner we get it, the better”

“Chima is here. Inigo is trying, and we have Gurkirat here. We have other offensive players, but that is the most difficult part in the final third because it is the place where you get less time. That is why some of the most expensive players around the world are the players who play in the front. It is because you get very little time and you get very little time for reaction to decide.”

“This is the part where it takes a bit of time. It is more about instincts. There is a structure, there is a battle but sometimes it is individual ability, it is the instincts that carry the goals and we are working on it”, added Clifford Miranda.

Clifford Miranda comments on pitch quality

If you’re wondering why Chennaiyin played all of their first four home games away from home, it’s because their home stadium was unavailable due to a variety of non-football activities, including AR Rahman’s concert. Ahead of the first home game, Clifford Miranda examined the pitch and expressed some concerns.

“The ground is not the best. I have been coming here since the inception of the ISL, and the pitch has been very, very good over the years. I am not saying it is bad, but it has been better in the earlier years. But we do understand the circumstances that the league has started on how we got the pitch. But I would say the groundsman from the last time I saw the pitch around 10 days back I think they have done a really good job.”

“In the end, it will require so much time for the grass to come and for the pitch to be levelled. I think they are trying. Even though it is not really good, not the best in the way we want to play. Because usually we want to play on the floor, and the pitch is not high enough to do that. But we will adapt. We cannot abandon the game. We cannot say, okay, we are not playing because the pitch is not nice. And I believe my players will adapt”, lamented Clifford Miranda.

Daniel Chima Chukwu on visa issues:

“I wouldn’t say it was difficult. It was easy because at one point, when I saw the team resume (training), I really wanted to join the team. Because of the visa, I had to wait, so it wasn’t easy, but once it came through, I couldn’t wait anymore. I just wanted to come back as soon as I could”, said Daniel Chima Chukwu.

Clifford Miranda on injury concerns ahead of FC Goa clash:

“Except Ali (Bemmamer), who is doubtful, 50-50, the rest of the team is available. We will see, we will take a call tomorrow. Ali is important because he has been there from day one and is very important, especially in the base of the midfield, but we have to adapt. If he is not there, we have to draft other players who can do the job”, commented Clifford Miranda.

Clifford Miranda on returning to home after four away games

As previously stated, after four games away from home, Chennaiyin will now play their next five games at their home stadium, Jawaharlal Nehru, Chennai. Clifford Miranda emphasized the significance of this series of games and encouraged supporters to go and support the club.

“It is so important (to be back home). We have five (home) games back-to-back, and it is something that will shape up where we finish in the table. We need to use it to our advantage to get points on the table. And for that, of course, we need the ground. We need the home advantage. We need the people. We need the fans to be there, coming and to support us. Otherwise, it will be just another away game for us.”

“I always say this: Players and Coaches come and go. It’s the fans who are there. For example, the club was incepted 10 years back, 12 years back. How many coaches have come and gone through the door? But the fans have remained responsible in coming and supporting the team. Good times, bad times. And the last game, I think, was held a year back. It is a good moment for you to come and support the team”, added Clifford Miranda.

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