Bozidar Bandovic not taking game easy, Des Buckingham wants some luck

The Islanders are winless in their last seven matches in ISL 2021-22.

Chennaiyin FC and Mumbai City FC are well within touching distance to make the top four, but must start winning. The Islanders are currently winless in their last seven matches, while Bozidar Bandovic and his men have won only once in their last five. Des Buckingham's side though beat Chennaiyin FC in the reverse fixture earlier this season. That remains their last win in ISL 2021-22, followed by three defeats and four losses. A win, depending on the number of goals they score, can take the winner into the top four.

Mumbai City are currently in sixth, with 19 points from 13 games. The Marina Machans have the same number of points, but have played a game more. Ahead of the crucial fixture, both coaches shared their thoughts with the media.

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Chennaiyin FC coach Bozidar Bandovic

After recent results, how are you looking to turn things around?

Bozidar Bandovic: I want to continue the first half from the last game. Another thing is we need to show full concentration, especially in defending set-pieces. You saw how we conceded the goal, we didn’t mark very well.

We are playing against one of the best teams. They have very good players and they are a very strong team. They are the champions, so we need to be focused and disciplined for all 90 minutes and try to dominate, as we did in the first half of the last game. We believe there would be a problem, as Sajid (Dhot) and (Vladimir) Koman will not be in the squad.

Chennaiyin FC have only won one of their last five games. What has gone wrong and how do you look to improve it?

Bozidar Bandovic: If you see, we did well in the Hyderabad and Jamshedpur games. Against Bengaluru, we didn’t do well, starting with the penalty. It affected the team emotionally because we came back strongly after the NorthEast game and to do it many times, I don’t think we are ready at this moment to do it. We should have won the last game (against SC East Bengal). We simply cannot concede the goal like we did in the last minute. This is the thing for me that needs to be improved.

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As I said, in the NorthEast game, the players showed character and we needed to do it again. I said to them, the things we do in the games that we win is what we should do in all games. There are some parts of the game where we are doing very well. But suddenly, with one mistake or a couple of wrong decisions are being done. This is one thing that is difficult to resolve right now. But, we are trying and talking to the players to not be so emotional and they need to become stronger in these situations.

The decision-making, tactical positioning and more movement should be like what we did in the first half of the last game. If you see, the midfield combination of Ariel (Borysiuk), Koman and (Anirudh) Thapa, it is different for us. We are stronger and we move the ball very well.

With Mumbai City winless in seven matches, do you think this is Chennaiyin FC's best chance against them?

Bozidar Bandovic: It’s a good chance. But, it’s a champion team. If you see, their squad, they have the best squad. They have good players, technical players. They move the ball really well, combination play and in set-pieces. At this moment, even if you play against the team placed last, they play with no pressure. They can play freely, so such games are very dangerous. So, from one side, we are playing the best team and we can say there is a chance because they didn’t win their games. But, from the other side, they are always champions. They are a dangerous team.

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Mumbai City FC coach Des Buckingham

Chennaiyin FC have won just one of their last five matches. Does that give Mumbai City any advantage?

Des Buckingham: Yes, it's a game we're looking forward to. In the last couple of games, we've gone back to playing the style of football that we want. We've started to pick up some momentum in terms of points that we want. Tomorrow is an opportunity, with seven games to go, to go back to winning ways. We know it'll be a tough game. We obviously played them the last time and scored, I think, in the last 4-5 minutes. We're expecting another tough game. But, we're looking forward to the game. The players are ready for the game. We're looking forward to getting back to playing and hopefully getting the results that we would want.

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On revised schedule

Des Buckingham: Yes, we have to get on with it. There's no point in complaining (chuckles) because we have to play the games. I think the good thing is if you ask players or you ask staff, they would prefer to play games and train. That's what everybody wants to do. We have a lot of games coming up now in a short space of time. So, that's what we're looking forward to. We'll prepare the players as best as we can in the short time frame that we have. All of the players are looking forward to getting back on the pitch quickly. So, we're very much looking forward to the next game.

Importance of Igor Angulo in side

Des Buckingham: I think in the last two games we have started to build momentum. I was happy with the way we were able to go out and perform. We will look to carry it in tomorrow’s game. We have got seven games left and are looking at tomorrow’s game to get back to winning ways. In terms of Igor (Angulo), he was part of the COVID-19 scare that we had here. We are trying to manage him back into the group. That’s why he didn’t start the other night. He’s in a good space now and is in contention to start tomorrow.

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