• Source:JND
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Chennaiyin FC is geared up to secure their first victory in the 2023/24 Indian Super League season as they face Mohun Bagan Super Giant at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai. With two consecutive losses against Odisha FC and NorthEast United FC at the beginning of the campaign, Chennaiyin FC is eager to turn their fortune around under the guidance of their head coach, Owen Coyle.

The upcoming clash will be against Mohun Bagan Super Giant, the table-toppers who are yet to experience defeat in the current season. Despite the challenging task at hand, Coach Coyle is instilling a positive mindset in his team and emphasizing the importance of making the most of the home advantage.

Chennaiyin FC's fans are eager to witness their team's resurgence and are hoping for a thrilling contest as they look forward to their first win of the season.

“It’s exciting. It’s the first home game. We’re looking forward to the challenge of playing against a wonderful team. We’ll be more than very respectful of Mohun Bagan Super Giant but we’re not going there to stand back and admire.

“We are at home. We’re looking to put a smile on our fans’ faces. We’re looking to play on the front foot, be aggressive in terms of how we play. Attacking and that’s what we like to do. There’s no doubt we have to be at our very best to win the game,” Coyle commented during the pre-match press conference in Chennai on Friday.

The Scotsman heaped praise on this team but also highlighted the need to learn from the mistakes.

“Had we taken our chances, we very easily could have won both games. I would be worried if we weren’t creating chances in both games. You need to be clinical when your chances present yourself and equally at the back. We made some mistakes defensively and you obviously need to tighten up that area. And when you’re creating chances, make sure you put them in the back of the net,” he said.

Chennaiyin’s attack is also expected to be further boosted by the return of striker Rahim Ali, who missed the team’s first two matches as he was away national duty at the Asian Games. The 23-year-old said: “I will try to score goals because if you score goals, you win the match. They [Mohun Bagan Super Giant] have a good side. So we are prepared very well. And, yes, of course, we are ready for the match.”

Chennaiyin’s defender Ryan Edwards and local boy Alexander Romario Jesuraj were also present at the press conference. Edwards said the team is well balanced with good young as well as experienced players and there’s plenty of talent in the group.

"It's a group full of good young as well as experienced players. So the balance is there. And with my experience, now I must help the younger lads. It's a key role in not only my position, but in me as a person. And I think there's plenty of talent in the group now," Edwards said.

The two sides have played against each other six times in the league so far with Chennaiyin winning once while Mohun Bagan Super Giant have secured two victories.

The match will begin at 8pm IST as the fans can watch the action live on Viacom18 and JioCinema.

Head-to-head: Matches: 6, CFC: 1, MBSG: 2, Draw: 3