Chennaiyin FC were one of the most impressive teams from the inaugural season of the Indian Super League (ISL), but that is not sufficient to win the trophy as they found out, falling two steps short of reaching the podium.
Kerala Blasters ended Chenniayin FC's almost perfect run in the semis, that must have hurt the franchise after sitting top of the table with six wins, five draws and just three losses before the knockout phase started.
Their 3-0 loss in the first leg of the semi-final was shocking but they made a brilliant fightback in the second with three goals before Kerala scored the winner in the dying moments to break hearts in Chennai.
Elano Blumer turned out to be the star performer for them last year and was also the top scorer in the league. The MS Dhoni and Abhishek Bachchan co-owned team scored the most goals in the league and were the favourites to clinch the title but the slump in their form at a crucial moment saw them getting knocked out of the tournament.
The team returned to Chennai to a warm welcome earlier this week after completing their pre-season training in Perugia, Italy. They played four games there, out of which they won two and lost the other two matches. They will open their ISL-2 campaign against Atletico de Kolkata on October 3 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai.
Here is a look at the club’s squad before the start of ISL season 2:
Strengths: Chennai’s strength last year was their free-flowing game that involved short and quick passes and having maximum possession of the ball. They had one of the best midfield during the first season and this year they have retained the core of their team while trying to further improve their already strong defence. Their marquee player Elano is the most complete midfielder in the league and their manager, Marco Materazzi, is a brilliant tactician and analyses the opponents very well.
Despite having many world-class players in the team, Elano is still their main strength and last year the playmaker almost single-handedly took Chennai to the last four. Last season the only time Chennai were seen struggling was during the period when Elano was injured and by retaining him they have made it clear that the Brazilian is going to be their main player this year also.
Chennai’s defence was rock solid in the first season and by retaining Bernard Mendy and signing defenders like Raphael Augusto, Alessandro Potenza and Mailson Alves they have made a statement that they are going to capitalise on their strength. Their star-studded defensive line has players who have been playing in Europe’s top league and they give Chennaiyin FC’s midfield the confidence to play freely and create more chances for the strikers.
Weaknesses: The biggest weakness that came out during the last season was that Chennai were not able to convert the opportunities created by the midfield into goals. Elano’s role is not that of a finisher but he had to the maximum leg work and then had to try to convert those chances into goals. The amount of goals scored by the team would suggest otherwise, though, because the midfield had done an outstanding job in creating chances while most of the shots taken by the forwards were off target. Balwant Singh showed some promise with his speed and ball control but he wasn’t consistent.
This year they have roped in Fikru Teferra, who was the best finisher for champions Atletico de Kolkata last year. He, along with Stiven Mendoza and Jeje Lalpekhlua, will have a huge responsibility to improve Chennai’s attack. If they start scoring, then it will also take some pressure off Elano and he will be able to do his job as a midfielder.
One more cause of concern for Chennai could be their inability to perform under pressure situations. Last year they were the table-toppers and were favourites to win the title but their 3-0 loss in the first leg of the semis was a shocker. They should also get rid of their habit of over-dependence on a single player and other players also need to step up and perform in big matches.
Marquee player: Elano, undoubtedly, is going to be Chennai’s key player. His ball passing and prowess in centre of the field makes him one of the most valuable players in the league. The 34-year-old Brazilian joined Chennaiyin FC last year and scored some sensational goals to win the Golden Boot. Best known for his accurate set pieces, Elano has played with big European clubs like Manchester City, Shakhtar Donetsk and Galatasaray before returning to Brazilian Club Santos in 2011.
Other players to watch out for:
Fikru Teferra: Fikru became a popular face among ISL fans due to his style of celebration after scoring a goal. The former Ethiopian captain, who has scored 10 international goals, was Kolkata’s main striker last season before he and Apoula Edel Bete were roped in by Chennaiyin FC in July this year. Fikru scored five goals in 12 matches before getting sidelined with a hamstring injury during the later part of the tournament.
Bernard Mendy: Mendy's brilliant goal with a bicycle kick against Kerala Blasters at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai was one of the biggest highlights of ISL's opening season. The 34 year-old French defender was an integral part of European football giant Paris Saint-Germain and won the Coupe de France twice in 2004 and 2006 with the club before joining English Premier League's Hull City. A solid defender who plays with an attacking approach, Mendy was retained by Chennaiyin FC.
Jeje Lalpekhlua: Jeje Lalpekhlua is among the most promising names in Indian football and is also one of the best strikers in the country. He made an impressive start to his international career by scoring four goals in his first three matches and played a major role in India's 2011 SAFF Cup championship victory. Jeje was the top-scoring Indian player in the ISL last year with four goals. The 24-year-old has played for Indian clubs like Mohun Bagan, Dempo and Pune before moving to Chennai.
Full squad:
Goalkeepers: Apoula Edel Bete, Nidhin Lal, Karanjit Singh,
Defenders: Bernard Mendy, Abhishek Das, Justin Stephen, Alessandro Potenza, Lalhmangaihsanga Ralte, Eder Monteiro, Mailson, Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Dhanachandra Singh
Midfielders: Elano Blumer (marquee player), Harmanjot Khabra, Dhanapal Ganesh, Bruno Pelissari, Raphael Augusto, Manuele Blasi, Thoi Singh, Godwin Franco, Zakeer Mundampara
Forwards: Jeje Lalpekhlua, Balwant Singh, Jayesh Rane, Fikru Teferra, Stiven Mendoza
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