"We have to be more deadly in final third" - Clifford Miranda ahead of Mohun Bagan clash in ISL 2026-27
Chennaiyin FC are winless in their last four games against Mohun Bagan SG.
Chennaiyin FC, headed by Clifford Miranda, are yet to win in their last seven games. This run dates back to the end of last season, when they finished their final five games of the 2025-26 ISL campaign without a victory. They now face another tough test at a difficult venue.
The Marina Machans are heading to Kolkata, where they will face former champions Mohun Bagan SG at the Salt Lake Stadium. Kick-off is scheduled for 19:30 IST on October 26, 2026.
In the two games they have played so far, Chennaiyin FC have had good share of possession and performed positively for large parts of both matches. Against FC Goa, they controlled possession for significant periods and took the lead through Irfan’s individual brilliance, only to concede from a set piece following an individual error.
Against Bengaluru FC, Clifford Miranda’s side enjoyed a reasonable share of possession but were once again toothless in attack, failing to score while making defensive lapses that contributed to a 2-0 defeat.
With just three wins in his 18 games in charge of the club, the pressure on Clifford Miranda is undoubtedly increasing following the wholesale squad changes made during the summer transfer window. It is now or never for Miranda to repay the faith shown in him by the management. Otherwise, things could escalate in the wrong direction.
Ahead of the trip to Kolkata, here is what Clifford Miranda and Rwanda international Emmanuel Imanishimwe had to say about the upcoming game.
Clifford Miranda on defensive concerns
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When goals are not coming as expected in the final third, it is important for a team to keep things tight at the back and secure clean sheets, which would at least guarantee a point in the worst-case scenario.
However, the Marina Machans have also been leaky defensively, conceding from a set piece following an individual error against FC Goa and twice against Bengaluru FC, with another individual error contributing to one of those goals.
Also Read: Mohun Bagan vs Chennaiyin FC Preview – Lineups, Team News | ISL 2026-27
When asked whether the goals conceded had concerned him, Clifford Miranda insisted that he is happy with his defenders and their performances so far.
“We defended really well- not just the back four, but as a team. We have conceded three goals now, one from a set piece. The second goal we conceded against Bengaluru, it was a soft goal, it was a bit of miscommunication, but it happens all the time. Mistakes are part of the game, but what we could not control was the first goal against Bengaluru. I think it was a very good goal by them; we were pressing high, and they got behind us, and we could not avoid that.”
“Having said that, again we need to stop giving set pieces, committing fouls in and around our box, and we need to get this thing a bit more focused. Especially when we don’t score for long periods and we have possession for long periods, it’s sometimes a bit of an offensive mindset that grips you, and that’s what has happened against both Goa and Bengaluru.”
“I am not very concerned, to be honest, about the defence because we are defending really well as a team, it’s just that we need to get these small errors and lack of concentration that we should get it out of order. It’s more about getting these small things away.”, acknowledged Clifford Miranda.
Clifford Miranda on Mohun Bagan
Mohun Bagan SG, the champions of the 2024/25 Indian Super League, failed to win the title last season, losing out to their arch-rivals East Bengal. This season, however, they entered the campaign in positive spirits after winning the 2026 IFA Shield.
Although they began the league with a defeat against NorthEast United FC, Panagiotis Dilmperis’ side produced a 2-1 comeback victory against Sporting Club Delhi in their most recent game.
Clifford Miranda spoke about the club’s budget but maintained that his side have the quality to beat Mohun Bagan on any given day, provided they stick to their game plan and give their best.
“We are cautious (when facing Mohun Bagan), but we want to control the game. We want to play in a very similar way to how we have been training for the last two months; we won’t change our style of play- that doesn’t change. Of course, depending upon the opponent, the circumstances that we are in and availability of players, and the quality of the opponent, we do change because we prepare for every opponent, in the week leading up to the match, so we are preparing for Mohun Bagan.”
“You are talking about possibly the best team in the league whose budget is I think four or five times higher than us. But again, money doesn’t win, win, win. On the day how you play is the most important thing and that is what we are banking on and counting on. But there is no denying the fact that they have, very, very good quality, but my team is no less, and the players that I have at my disposal are good enough because for me the biggest strength is the team rather than any individual.”
“They are coming back off one defeat and one victory, but you see, against NorthEast, they created so many chances; they missed a lot of chances. Also, in the second half against Delhi, they changed their system, and they played really well because they have good players. They have had a long pre-season; they started the season, I think, in July or before.”
“Overall, we are going to play against a very, very good opponent, a very strong opponent, possibly one of the contenders for the title. But for me, the most important thing is the strength of my team and the unity of my team, and I think if we control that then it’s going to be a good result for us.”, insisted Clifford Miranda
Clifford Miranda on the mood in the dressing room
Starting the season with three away games is always a difficult task. Playing two of them without securing a win could have a significant impact on the players’ mentality, especially when they are yet to play at home and have no home support to rely on during a difficult spell.
However, Clifford Miranda insisted that the players believe in the team and its style of play. He also expressed his belief that victories are only a matter of time if they continue to stick to their plans.
“The players know we are playing well, controlling the game, well organised, and in our shape while defending. We control the game with the ball, and we are reaching the final third. But it’s the quality- a quality pass, a good pass, a measured pass, a good dribble- getting a few players in the box is what is missing. So, the good part is the players and I are on the same page; we think in the same way. The coaching staff and the players know what the final thing that needs to be corrected is.
“The other part is to make them believe that we can score. They have to believe in themselves; we have to be a bit more confident, sharper, more precise and more deadly in the final third, but they know it already.”, added Clifford Miranda.
Emmanuel Imanishimwe on his move to the ISL
Emmanuel Imanishimwe, a Rwanda international who was playing in the top tier of Cypriot football, made a bold move to Chennaiyin FC, embracing a new challenge in India despite having never played in Asia before.
Emmanuel spoke about his move to the club; how happy he has been so far and the importance of helping the Indian players around him as an international player.
“It’s a pleasure to be in a squad like this, and there is something extra you can bring to the team as an international player. As the coach said, we are here to support; we are here to build the team, and I think this is the beginning for everyone as a team. And for us as international players, we have to put something into the team, and we are going to be better than the last two games.”
“We worked harder this week than before, so I think now we are starting to be one team, and not four international players. We are starting, and I’m sure we will see some improvement in the next game.”, replied Emmanuel
Emmanuel Imanishimwe on playing as a centre-back
Clifford Miranda has preferred to play two foreign center-backs in the starting XI this season, with Emmanuel operating on the left alongside Nuno Reis. The role is relatively new to the Rwandan international, who began playing as a center-back only last season after spending most of his career as a left-back.
Emmanuel insisted that he has had no difficulty adapting to the role and is comfortable playing in this position for the Marina Machans this season.
“It’s not the first time I’ve played in central defence, because even last season I was playing in central defence in Cyprus. But it’s not easy because it hasn’t been long since I started playing in central defence. But I think one year is enough; I was studying, this is the second year, so it’s not difficult.”, commented Emmanuel.
Clifford Miranda on injuries and Talal’s fitness
Despite the season being only two games old, Chennaiyin FC has already been hit by several injuries since beginning their pre-season a couple of months ago. Clifford Miranda provided an update on Nikola’s availability after he missed the previous game, while also discussing the injuries to domestic players and Madih Talal’s fitness.
“Glan is not there; he’s injured. Vignesh is injured; Maheson is injured. Harmandeep has just recovered; Nikola is available and will be there. We played Talal against Goa, and then he started against Bengaluru and as the league goes on, he will get better. There is no denying his quality with the ball. We need a fit Madih who will be at his best to give him time, and I think he will be really good.”, added Clifford Miranda.
Clifford Miranda on his foreign signings
Clifford Miranda was asked about the reasoning behind his five foreign signings, particularly his decision to bring in three players with previous experience of playing in India, alongside new arrivals such as Ramon Tanque and Emmanuel Imanishimwe.
Miranda spoke about the clear player profiles the club wanted to recruit and explained why they selected particular players to strengthen the squad.
“We wanted a 10, so we got Madih. We wanted a left-footed center back, so we got Emmanuel. We wanted a right-footed center back, so Nuno was available, and he did really well in Mumbai last season, so we signed him. We wanted a player who could play as an 8, as a 6, as a 10, so we got Nikola, and we wanted a 9 who was more mobile and who could run into space, and we had quite a couple of profiles, and then finally we settled on Ramon.”
“It was more about the profiles that we were looking at in those particular positions. The fact that three of them were already playing in India helps. When you know the region, the place, the environment, the weather, the conditions, it’s always good; it’s always helpful. But the most important thing was the profiles, and if you get the players who have been playing around here in India, it’s always an advantage.”, said Clifford Miranda.
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