Clifford Miranda talks about relegation and about his plans with Chennaiyin FC for this season

Chennaiyin FC are dangerously close to the relegation spot

SC Delhi travel to Chennai for their first face off with the Marina Machans on Friday. Chennaiyin FC have suffered back-to-back losses at home while the Capital-based club is coming into this Indian Super League game on the back of consecutive wins.

Clifford Miranda attended the pre-match press conference ahead of Chennaiyin FC’s next game. Here are a few important topics that the manager spoke about:

Update on Elshinho’s injury

Elsinho was injured in the opening minutes of the first half against East Bengal. The injury surrounded a lot of controversy as the Kolkata club didn’t stop the play and went on to score their opening goal a mere seconds later, while the CFC players were clearly more focused on Elshinho’s well-being.

Talking about his defender’s season-ending injury, Clifford Miranda said, “It is unfortunate that we have lost Elisinho for the remainder of the season. It was a horrible injury, very, very horrible. It was a double fracture of the ankle, and we lost some knee ligaments as well.”

“So it is very horrible, the most important thing is his well-being. The next step that we take is towards his recovery, whether it is surgery or rehab that he requires to play football, is the most important thing.”

Adding to this, the Chennaiyin FC head coach confirmed that the club will not be making any new signings to replace Elsinho for the remainder of the season.

Clifford Miranda talks about the relegation battle!

Chennaiyin FC are currently twelfth in the ISL table ahead of the game against Sporting Club Delhi and they are dangerously close to the relegation spot. When asked about the club’s focus in the next few games since there are no playoffs this season.

To this, Clifford Miranda replied, “I don’t want to be a pessimist, but I know there is no top six or top four. But there is relegation.”

“It is more important than a top six for me, if you see from the general perspective and from a purely footballing perspective, also marketing and everything else. Having relegation is more prominent than not having a top-six or a top-four position. The real fight is that there is a lot of pressure. As much as there is pressure to finish in the top six or top four, there is not much to lose compared to what you have to lose if you are fighting a relegation battle. Including relegation has its own fights, possibilities and consequences.”

“I don’t think any of us, anyone from us, not even for one bit, is less motivated than comparatively if there had to be a top four or a top six. So it is very important that we stay sharp and that we are up to the task because it is more important than ever to stay focused than drop our guard.”

“I don’t know the future”: Clifford Miranda

Clifford Miranda was asked about his plan for the next season as Chennaiyin FC are not in contention for silverware this season.

To this, the CFC head coach said, “Honestly, I don’t know the future. For me, the most important thing is the next game and this season.”

“That is the most important thing, to take one game at a time, to perform really well in the next game and to win it. We have six games, and our objective is, of course, to win six games. Is it possible or not possible is another thing, but for us, the most important thing is the next game and to win that game and the next game and the next game and to see how the season finishes.”

“About next season, I don’t know. Of course, we can plan, and the club will plan for sure. The club will surely plan, and we will plan together, but at the moment, it is all about this season.

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