Jamshedpur FC take on Chennaiyin FC in the Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2019-20 at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur on Monday. While Chennaiyin will be looking for a fresh start under new head coach Owen Coyle, the home side will hope to consolidate their position in the top four with a positive result.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Jamshedpur head coach Antonio Iriondo shared his views on the upcoming challenge and said, “We always look forward to having a good match and get a victory. We are not sure about how the other team is going to play now that they have a new head coach. I hope that we will be to manage well and get a victory.”

Iriondo also confirmed that star striker Sergio Castel won’t be involved against Chennaiyin as he was still recovering from the knock which forced him off the field in their last match against NorthEast United FC. “Castel will not be available against Chennaiyin. We have other players who can play as a striker. Whoever performs the best in training will get a chance to play. We will make the decision before the match.”

He, however, had a more positive update on Spanish midfielder Piti, who has been missing due to an injury since the international break. “Piti is back in training and is well. But it is a matter of fitness and we will have to see before the match,” he revealed.

Asked if the absence of Castel and possibly Piti will be a hindrance, the Spaniard replied, “I’m going to keep trusting my players and how they have trained through the week. I’m very happy with the situation at this point. We have lost some of our important players but the team is getting good results as well. I hope that we can continue this till the players return.”

Speaking about the impact of injuries to key players in general, the 66-year-old opined, “When you lose a player for five matches in such a short league, it does create a few problems, especially if it happens to important players like Piti is for us. But I’m sure Castel and Piti will be back for us soon.”

Joining the gaffer was Jamshedpur defender Robin Gurung, who spoke about the influence of Spanish coaches on his game. "This is a nice system. We can improve ourselves as well. this is my second season under a Spanish coach. They train us to move the ball more. Earlier, we used to move more than the ball. But the game is changing, and we are changing along with it. So now I have adapted to moving the ball more.”

Read the Match Preview here.