CHENNAI: After a long delay in the start of the Indian Super League (ISL), two-time winners Chennaiyin FC are eager to make most out of little preparation for this season. Clubs had suffered financially due to the impasse, and were forced to suspend operations and Chennaiyin was one of them. After the announcement of the kickoff date (February 14), clubs last month hurried their preparations as time was limited and tried to make the most of out of the time they had in hand.
New head coach Clifford Miranda felt that the time allotted to prepare for a gruelling season may not be enough. "Four weeks is never enough, especially if you have had a lay-off of more than nine months. It's very, very difficult. So nine times four (weeks) is 36 weeks off. Without the team, it's very, very difficult. And you cannot compensate that in four weeks. But we tried. Of course, we are not at our optimum condition. But we have tried to accommodate and try to adapt to the situation," he told on Wednesday.
He had earlier pointed out the same problem when CFC were playing their first competitive match last year, in the group stage of the AIFF Super Cup. The club had to play three matches in the span of six days that too with little to no pre-season. The club then failed to get out of the group stage of the knockout tournament.
Miranda on run of away games
Chennaiyin FC will be playing their first four matches away from home. The opponents they face are not the easiest — Mumbai City FC, defending champs Mohun Bagan Super Giants, Odisha FC & fierce rivals Kerala Blasters. That run of matches, especially in the beginning of the season, is not easy. "It could go either ways," the former India midfielder said, before adding, "If I am being a pessimist person, I will say four away games, difficult games in short duration. With little to no pre-season, it's going to be difficult. But I would like to see it in a more positive way. Where we got to stay and work together again. Before we travel again, we have some time in Chennai before our game against Mohun Bagan. I would like to see it as an opportunity to further enhance our playing style and our philosophy," he explained.
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