John Gregory: I wish we just don’t repeat last season's performance

The Englishman rued missed chances as he feels Chennaiyin FC should have picked up six points from two of their three games. 

Ahead of his side's league game against rivals Bengaluru FC, Chennaiyin FC head coach John Gregory interacted with the press on Saturday, accompanied by midfielder Rafael Crivellaro.

Chennaiyin FC are the only side who have not scored a single goal until now in the Indian Super League this season. Speaking about the issue, John Gregory said, “We’ve played really well the last two games, having almost 40 shots over the two games. We should’ve scored and earned six points off those two games, but we missed out."

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"Bengaluru FC could’ve easily been 0-4 up against Jamshedpur, but they failed to convert those chances. They are facing the same issue that we have been dealing with in the past two games. We’re doing well, but we’re just not getting the results yet. I’m pleased with the chances that we’ve created and managed to perform well defensively," the Englishman added.

“Honestly both Chennaiyin FC and Bengaluru FC should be having more points than what they currently have,” John Gregory further went on to say, speaking on his side's opposition on Sunday night.

Rafael Crivellaro

Rafael Crivellaro, who accompanied John Gregory to the press conference was asked about the game and he answered, “We know it’s a very difficult match and I understand that it is a derby. We have been training very hard to start well and win the match tomorrow.”

The last two seasons have seen Bengaluru FC and Chennaiyin FC sharing a rivalry, which arguably started with the former defeating the Blues in the final of the ISL in the 2017-18 season.

On Rivalry Between Two Teams

“The rivalry between the two teams has been very strong ever since Bengaluru FC came into the ISL. Both sets of fans enjoy these games and there’s a lot at stake when both teams meet. The winners get the opportunity to make fun of the opposition, happens a lot in football mainly in the European countries. Bengaluru FC have had two fantastic seasons and we admire what they’ve achieved last season and would like to get our first victory of this season,” John Gregory quipped.

On Preparation For The Game

John Gregory also mentioned about the preparations the Chennaiyin FC players are undertaking ahead of the game on Sunday, saying, “We’ve made all the new players aware of what’s at stake and that this is literally more than just a football match. I hope that tomorrow, when I switch on the TV to watch Liverpool Vs Manchester City, I can sit with a bottle of beer and three points.”

Since winning the league in the 2017-18 season, Chennaiyin FC have had a rather disappointing previous campaign, where they finished at the bottom of the table. John Gregory compared last season's results with that of the ongoing term and said, "We have made plenty of changes to the squad that played last season. We have been creating a lot of chances, but we couldn’t manage to get the desired result. This season has started off the same way as the previous (season) and I wish we just don’t repeat the same.”

The 65-year-old tactician had plenty of praise for former Chennaiyin FC player Raphael Augusto, who switched sides to Bengaluru FC in the summer transfer window.

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“He has already impressed many at the club and has put up some brilliant performances. He is involved in a much more attacking role and plays much more forward than he did for us. He played just behind the striker for one season and was brilliant throughout the campaign, arguably his best so far. However, Raphael never really enjoyed playing upfront in that position, I hope he doesn’t enjoy playing there tomorrow.”

The tactician also gave an update on Jeje Lalpekhlua and said that he has been improving over the past few months, but still awaits confirmation from the medical department.

Chennaiyin FC face Bengaluru FC on Sunday at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium at 7:30 PM IST.