Clifford Miranda opens up on Chennaiyin FC’s set-piece tactics and finishing chances ahead of the clash against Mohun Bagan!

Chennaiyin FC failed to convert any of their 15 corner kicks against Mumbai City.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant will welcome Chennaiyin FC to the VYBK Stadium on Monday for their Indian Super League 2025-26 encounter. The visitors lost 1-0 to Mumbai City in the opening matchweek despite having the possession and set-piece stats in their favour.

Head coach Clifford Miranda and midfielder Mohammed Ali Bemammer attended the pre-game press conference ahead of Chennaiyin’s game against Mohun Bagan. Here’s what the duo said…

Clifford Miranda speaks on Chennaiyin FC not finishing their chances

The Marina Machans created a lot of half-chances against Mumbai City FC but failed to do anything with it. This has been a trend that Chennaiyin FC have been following since their last campaign under Owen Coyle.

Talking about this, the Chennaiyin FC head coach said, “I think it is true that we had a lot of possession in good areas. You know, not just possession for the sake of it but in good areas that we had possession and we created chances. Well, it was not very clear but we did create chances.”

“The final part is always the most difficult part and I know we need to improve that. As the season goes by, hopefully, we will improve every time we play a game. So, we need to work on it. Like how we need to work in defence, we need to work in attack. Similarly, we need to work on the final part. But it is also true that finishing chances is the most difficult part of all the three departments.”

Clifford Miranda shares his views on his side’s failure to convert set pieces

Chennaiyin FC had a host of set piece opportunities against Mumbai City but failed to make the most of them. This cost the Southern side the game as they lost 1-0 at the Mumbai Football Arena in their ISL opener.

When asked if they have done something to improve their set piece output, Clifford Miranda said, “I know we got a lot of set pieces – 15 corners and some 6 or 7 free kicks. We trained in the same way we train set pieces. Also, we trained in normal plays as well. Sometimes when you do normal play or you turn, you train certain tactics; it doesn’t happen and the same with set pieces.”

“You know, sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn’t happen. No matter how hard you train and how much you train, sometimes it just happens without training. So there’s nothing much to look into except the fact that we kept trying, we kept going, and it happens sometimes just because; it’s never a guarantee that all the deliveries will end up fantastic or every set-piece that we get will end up in a goal.”

“Yes, we can and we must utilise it, because it’s a big opportunity to score. But it’s the same thing with open play – sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn’t happen.”

Bemammer on ISL quality and the atmosphere in the Chennaiyin FC camp

The January transfer window saw many players leave ISL clubs to move abroad, either on loan or permanently. Owing to this, quite a few clubs are playing with fewer numbers or a completely new set of foreigners.

When asked if the departure of these players has affected the quality of the ISL, Mohammed Ali Bemammer said, “This season is very, very difficult, but this is my job; I live for football. Many players left and it’s making a difference. But everything is good now, and step by step ISL is back.”

Bemmamer joined Chennaiyin FC from NorthEast United, where he spent two seasons. On being asked about the atmosphere between the group of players at Chennai, the player said, “I am very happy to be there with the players and to work with the coach. You know, the situation is difficult, as it was a long time not training with the team.”

“It is difficult, but now everything is fine. We are preparing for the match against Mohun Bagan tomorrow. We know that this match is not easy, and it will be very, very difficult. But we will prepare very, very well, and I hope that tomorrow we will focus and get a good result, Inshallah.”

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