Xtra Time Web Desk: SC East Bengal Head Coach Manuel Diaz on Thursday said his team need to defend the dead ball situations well ahead of his side’s clash against Chennaiyin FC. The Red and Golds are still to register a win so far in the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL 2021-22) season. Manuel Diaz’s side have so far managed a draw in their first match against Jamshedpur FC while biting the dust against arch rivals ATK Mohun Bagan and losing a ten-goal thriller versus Odisha FC. SC East Bengal’s opponent on Friday, Chennaiyin FC have won both their matches in the ISL season so far.
“We have to defend the dead ball situations well. With respect to the last match, I’d tell my defence to improve their mental focus and pay more attention during set-pieces,” he said in the pre-match press conference.
Diaz is happy with his team finding the back of the net four times in the last match. According to Diaz, “The fact that we have started scoring goals is a big positive. It is an indication of the fact that the attacking line-up has started clicking together. But in football, it is a matter of balance. If the opponent scores more goals than us, that means the whole team’s defensive organisation is not very strong.”
Talking about the threat posed by Chennaiyin FC, Diaz said, “Chennaiyan FC is a good team, who are doing the right things on the field at the moment and getting positive results.”
The Spaniard also provided updates on injured skipper Arindam Bhattacharya and Jackichand Singh. “Arindam and Jacki are working with the medical staff right now. We don’t have an exact date of their return, but we are hopeful of getting their services soon.”
The last two matches between SC East Bengal and Chennaiyan FC finished in a draw, but this season the two teams have started at different ends of the league table. It remains to be seen whether SC East Bengal can use this match to begin telling their turnaround story.