ISL 2018-19: Chennaiyin FC look to get campaign back on track against ATK

Reigning champions Chennaiyin FC travel to Kolkata where they will play ATK at the Salt Lake Stadium in order to register their first win in Indian Super League 2018-19.

Chennaiyin FC are languishing at the ninth spot with just one point after playing four games. Their hosts, ATK, aren't in the best of forms either and are placed sixth on the points table after winning just one of their four fixtures so far.

In their last game against Delhi Dynamos, Chennaiyin wasted a handful of chances, bagging their first point of the season.

SQUAD: Coppell informed that Kalu Uche, who was surprisingly left out of the squad, hurt his hamstring during training ahead of the match against Jamshedpur, and was thus not risked.

"When we did some sprints in Jamshedpur he felt a niggle in his hamstring. We made a call to rest him for that game knowing these two games are coming soon. I made the call to leave him out totally but he is fit to play tomorrow."

The champions have been leaky in defence so far but the pair of Inigo Calderon and Eli Sabia looked confident against the Dynamos.

However, their finishing left a lot to be desired in Delhi. Considering the kind of chances Carlos Salom spurned, Gregory could bring back last year's top scorer Jeje Lalpekhlua into the starting XI.

Coppell though will have to take care of his side’s defensive issues at home. His side has faced 23 shots so far, 13 of which were from inside the box. Coming to the positives, midfielder Manuel Lanzarote has played a pivotal part in ATK’s last two matches having been involved in all three goals. 

MANAGERS SPEAK: Despite Chennaiyin FC not playing their best football this season, ATK coach Steve Coppell refused to take them lightly and said the defending champions looked good in their last game and they are desperate to log three points too.

Head coach John Gregory, who did not attend the pre-match media interaction due to a sore throat, was disappointed not to have claimed all three in the last game.

"I think in their most recent game they were really good. We are happy to play anybody. We just want the games to come fast so that we can challenge everybody," Coppell said at the pre-match media interaction on the eve of the tie.

Asked if they have an upper hand going in to the game, Coppell said like ATK, Chennaiyin are looking for a win badly too and it will be a hard fought battle.

"I don't think there's any advantage. I just think about how we can play the opposition. Can we win the game? Yes of course we can. We have a game plan and hope that will bring fruition and points for us. They are desperate for a win and its going to be a game between two sides fighting for three points at stake."

Chennaiyin are also badly in need of three points.

"We've played four matches and there are some new faces in the team. They are taking some time to settle down. Day-by-day, the performance level is improving. We're working on our mistakes but I think we're getting better," said Chennaiyin assistant coach Sabir Pasha.

"ATK is always strong. No doubt they have lost two matches at home. But they will come stronger tomorrow. They can't be taken lightly. They play really hard and put the opponent under pressure," said Pasha.

The Englishman also provided an update on Kalu Uche, who was surprisingly left out of the squad.

"We trained in the morning and he started feeling his hamstring. If tonight was a cup final, he probably would have played. But in view of the fact that we have got three games in ten days, I thought it would be best for him not to start because then he might put himself out for quite a long time," he said.

"We missed him, but the others worked very hard and I can't question the commitment of the players."

HEAD-TO-HEAD: ATK and Chennai have faced each other 10 times and have three wins each while four matches ended in draw.

 

FORM: ATK didn't have the best of starts to their campaign despite being among the favourites. They have scored just three goals in four matches despite having 15 shots on target. Their passing accuracy is also a miserable 60.93 per cent.

Chennai's fate has been similar to their opponents and the defending champions are yet to register a win this season. They have just one point from 12, their worst start to an ISL campaign. 

Chennai have scored just four times from 48 attempts on goal despite having 19 shots on target. Their passing accuracy though has been a passable 70.3 per cent.

PROBABLE 11s: 

ATK: Arindam Bhattacharja(GK), Airborlang Khongjee, Gerson Vieira, John Johnson, Ricky Lallawmawma, Pronay Halder,Komal Thatal, Manuel Lanzarote (C), Everton Santos, Balwant Singh, Kalu Uche

Chennaiyin FC- Karanjit Singh (GK), Francisco Fernandes, Inigo Calderon (C), Eli Sabia, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Anirudh Thapa, Andrea Orlandi, Thoi Singh, Raphael Augusto, Issac Vanmalsawma, Carlos Salom.