The Chennaiyin gaffer feels proud of his young talents, and professed how crucial they are in building a strong squad.
“We’re not the favorites” stressed Csaba on his new challenge against East Bengal while addressing the press today. The Marina Machans are all geared up to face the new-entrants SC East Bengal on 26th December, just post the celebration day of Christmas. Lately, the Fowler led side who is yet to count their first win, is desperately going down in the flames.
The Csaba Lazlo led side is remarkably doing impressive on the pitch, playing a free-style football and creating wonderful chances, but are desperately failing to convert them. So far the Marina Machans had a decent start to this tournament winning two and having two losses and two draws.
The last game against FC Goa, had went well favoring the Blues, as they edge past the former by 2-1 score. But had they capitalized every of their chances, they would have won it in a much better score-line. With a hopeful notion, they’d now be locking horns with the East Bengal, where Csaba finds he must be aware and be focused on taking them in the field on Saturday.
Chennaiyin FC coach Csaba reiterated that his side aren’t the favorites as they go into tie against East Bengal, ” Look even if you’re favorite or not favorite, the pressure is always there in the air. No team in this league are favorites, since it’s especially relied on your form and luck, as luck and decisions had badly affected the league. Even yesterday’s match (FC Goa versus Jamshedpur), it was a very up and down game. Everyone is looking to win games and it’s not very tactical. East Bengal too have good players and are adapting to this league level. Slow to the start they have adapted well. So I think it can be hard challenge too and importantly we must be cautious, and tune in our concentration ahead of the game” opined Lazlo.
“Focus and constancy is very important in every game, and we must find ourselves comfortable with our daily form.” says Csaba on confronting a game with high ideals and to precipitate a momentary run to this campaign.
Unfortunate the Blues are, as they will miss the services of right-back Reagan Singh due to accumulation of four yellow cards. “In football this is normal. I have different solutions to this problem. We will be able to replace him. I think it will work. Reagan has surprised me very much with his performances. He has done a very good job in the pitch. But we can definitely replace him” stated Lazlo positively.
Lazlo on a further note, had praises for his youngsters, precisely upon Deepak Tangri and Rahim Ali who have been the good prospects for the Csaba Lazlo’s side lately. Chennaiyin FC have used Deepak Tangri in every game this season and has been offered consistent shifts in the defensive roles up in all the six matches. The latter (Rahim Ali) too displaying his significance in the attacking fronts, who of late scored the winner against FC Goa last Saturday.
“At the beginning of the season, he was new for me. Ali and Deepak are two talented players. I had a target to give them more minutes and get them more involved. Deepak is interesting as he is a central defensive player but he can play as a number six.” praised his views upon the new CDM Tangri.
“Ali didn’t really understand what I was asking from him in the beginning. But after the injury, he is a changed player and he is understanding my needs. He is trying very much to show how good he is. We have to lead them in the right way” professed the coach positively.
Csaba further professed the importance of rotating the squad on respective time-lines and will play a crucial role in the turn of phase. “Rotation is important but we had some injuries. Rafa (Rafael Crivellaro) was tired the game against the Northeast game and had to replace him. So I will see who is 100 per cent and then take a call.”
The former Lithuanian coach signed off the presser by adding an update on Isma’s injury. Isma (Esmaël Gonçalves) who had picked up an injury during the game agianst the Islanders is now completely fit and his presence on training sessions must delight the Fans.