Bozidar Bandovic, Derrick Pereira optimistic about reaching playoffs

Chennaiyin FC and FC Goa are placed in the eighth and ninth respectively in the point table.

While both coaches Bozidar Bandovic and Derrick Pereira are positive about their teams reaching the playoffs, their chances look very slim. Both Chennaiyin FC and FC Goa find themselves at the wrong end of the table with only five games to go. Bandovic's side are eighth in the standings with 19 points, while FC Goa have four points fewer and are a rung below. If they are to indeed make the final four come the season end, both teams must start winning and win consistently.

Chennaiyin FC have won only one in their six games and are winless in their last three, while FC Goa have not won any in their last five. The Gaurs' last win in ISL 2021-22 came against Chennaiyin FC in the reverse fixture and Pereira hopes they eke out a similar result tomorrow.

Here's what both coaches, Bozidar Bandovic and Derrick Pereira said prior to tomorrow's fixture:

Chennaiyin FC coach Bozidar Bandovic

Chennaiyin FC are winless in their last three matches. How do you get back to winning ways?

Bozidar Bandovic: We need to be dangerous for our opponents. When we are playing Ariel (Borysiuk), (Anirudh) Thapa and (Vladimir) Koman in the middle, we are more dangerous than when we rotate. Mirlan would probably start tomorrow, so we will be having more speed on the ball. There were moments in the Mumbai game where we pressed high and made it difficult for them. FC Goa plays a similar style. We will try to dominate, make chances and be disciplined. 

With only five games remaining do Chennaiyin FC have a chance to make it into the playoffs?

Bozidar Bandovic: It’s difficult. But, there is always a chance. We have to give everything and try for it. We don’t have our key players, so the other players are not the same.  I’m not saying I don’t believe in this squad, but seeing other teams as I said, it would be huge for us to make it into the top four. 

Any team needs at least two years to get to a good, fixed position. Chennaiyin FC made the final in 2019 and wasn’t so good last year. I don’t want to make excuses. I know the fans are not happy (with the performances) and they are right to do that because we want the team to be better. I want the team to be a champion. But, this needs patience to build the team. We also need to plan for the next season.

Would you like to have control over domestic signing and transfers if you remain the coach next season?

Bozidar Bandovic: I’m part of this team and it is my team, it’s our team. I want to give everything for this team and that is what I am doing. We make mistakes, I make mistakes and everyone does. 

When we took the team in August, there were 9-10 players in the squad. In that time, most of the good domestic players signed for someone or they stayed at their respective clubs. In January, it is tough to get good domestic players as they are happy and under contract with their teams. 

So, for me, it is important that such things are resolved in March-April. Otherwise, for me, or even the next coach if he comes, it will be difficult. As a coach, I need to be honest about what I believe and what I think we need to do. I take responsibility for my mistakes and I don’t want to make any excuses. 

For this team, we need to start in March or April (to build for next season). This is important, as we now have fewer foreigners in our team. So, we need to focus on the domestic players. 

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What is your philosophy on the game? 

Bozidar Bandovic: It is to dominate the game. To keep the ball, this is the way we even defend. Sometimes, we cannot keep the ball when we make changes to the team. There were moments when we didn’t do this as a team. 

My philosophy is to dominate, make chances and to score goals. But, I also want to have a balance in attack and defence. If you see the statistics, we have created the same chances as other teams have. So for me, the system is not the problem. I didn’t win trophies without playing attacking football. 

FC Goa coach Derrick Pereira

How do you look at the current situation and do you personally believe it’s possible for FC Goa to qualify for the playoffs?

Derrick Pereira: We take it to match-by-match. We are hoping that other results come our way. The situation with the players has improved and there is a positive feeling in the team. Players and the team behind them are working hard. For the first time, the whole squad is available for selection tomorrow. It is a challenge for me to pick the starting XI for the match. If you go with the right mindset in the last five matches, anything is possible.

FC Goa beat Chennaiyin FC in the reverse fixture? Does that ive your side any advantage?

Derrick Pereira: Each and every match is different. We go into each match with the same intent to win and get the best result. We have learnt from our mistakes. It was a good result in the previous match and hopefully tomorrow if we perform the same way and give our best, we will get a good result.

We have one of the best teams in the league, with some exceptional players. We are working towards building this team for the future as well. Taking all of this into consideration, even if the results don’t show it, we are still one of the best teams.

Does the long break give you an extra advantage? Will you players get more gametime?

Derrick Pereira: It depends on the teams, their approach, their formation and the availability of players. We have our full squad right now and we have worked to build this team. The focus will be on our game. All the teams are prepared for these types of fixtures and hopefully, it will be in our favour tomorrow.

We are looking at the present and the future. The youngsters who are doing well in training will definitely get the opportunity to get some playing time in these remaining matches.

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