Never in my career have I had this kind of run, admits Csaba Laszlo

The Romanian had mixed feelings after his side's draw against FC Goa on Saturday.

It was another gut-wrenching late capitulation for the former Indian Super League champions Chennaiyin FC, as Ishan Pandita’s late strike saw FC Goa salvage a point against them. While Csaba Laszlo and Co. finally managed to find their goalscoring boots, it was their defence that let them down this time around, with Eli Sabia handling the ball inside the box for the first goal and Enes Sipovic playing Pandita on for the second.

The Romanian coach addressed the media after the match.

https://youtu.be/xj0Ns9yb-9E

On Performance

Despite the disappointment of the result, it was a much-improved performance from the Marina Machans. However, Csaba Laszlo lamented his side’s luck as it was yet another late goal that condemned them to dropping two points.

“Never in my career (have I had) this kind of a run. We can go back against, ATK (Mohun Bagan), Jamshedpur and now today we lost two points. I think we deserved (the points). I was so satisfied with the game. But, the football games go until the referee (stops) the game.

“I am also angry because the players who came in, I told them to be more aggressive. I missed a little bit in the midfield, this aggression to make tactical fouls. We have to accept that this season is like this. I am proud, generally, of the team because after Jamshedpur, we came back very strongly.”

On positives & negatives

It was a tale of redemption for a couple of Chennaiyin players against FC Goa. Jakub Sylvestr and Lallianzuala Chhangte found the back of the net, after being on the end of considerable criticism for their wastefulness in front of goal.

“The positives are that he (Jakub) scored, but the negative is that he had to score two more goals. Chhangte also has to score two more goals. This (has been) the problem all season. They are missing the goal chances. But generally, I cannot give any bad words about the team spirit.”

Goa’s tendency to come back late into games & plan to combat that:

FC Goa have made a habit in recent weeks, of finding the back of the net late on in games. Ishan Pandita in particular has been the beneficiary of this trait. When asked if Chennaiyin FC had a plan to combat this tendency going into the game, Csaba Laszlo was emphatic in his response.

“Yes! This is the reason I am angry. I told the new players that came in that we have to keep them away from the goal, to make tactical fouls in the middle of the pitch. In this case, I am angry and I am disappointed because you are fresh, you have fresh legs and we had two times before the goal, the possibility to stop them in the midfield.

Playoffs Chances

Chennaiyin FC’s draw against FC Goa all but put an end to their playoffs charge. Csaba Laszlo emphasized that while his side were out of the running for the top four, they would not stop giving their all in their remaining games.

“We said after the game against Jamshedpur that already we are out. But, the most important is that we should show spirit in the next two games and get a good place in the table because we cannot change too much. But, we can show that we are playing good football.”

Chennaiyin FC play their penultimate game of the season against NorthEast United on the 18th of February 2021 at 7:30Pm IST.