Chennaiyin FC head coach Bozidar Bandovic is determined not allow Roy Krishna to play his free game in the final third when they play ATK Mohun Bagan in their Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2021-22 match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in Fatorda, on Saturday.

The Chennai-based side is currently at the fourth spot in the league table with seven points in their bag, having won two and drawn one out of the three matches played this season.

Bandovic addressed the media during the pre-match press conference ahead of the game.

Here the excerpts from the press conference:

ATK Mohun Bagan have lost their last two matches, what are your views on the side going into the game?

Bandovic: In my opinion, ATK Mohun Bagan is one of the best teams in the league, you have to respect the team. They played in the final last season and they have had the same coach for many years. It’s a very good team and they are now more dangerous than ever. Of course they lost two games, but that doesn’t change our approach. From what I see, they are a very dangerous team.

How are you planning to tackle the threat of Roy Krishna and Hugo Boumous in the upcoming game?

Bandovic: Pressure on the ball, good communication, they are very dangerous in one-on-one situations. Roy Krishna attacks the space, we need to create pressure in winning the ball and we need to control his runs, especially when he gets the ball with open space. They have a dangerous last pass and Krishna attacks this space very well, he reads the game well. So, we need to defend well, with good pressure and good communication. We also need to win the one-on-one situations.

Chennaiyin FC had a seven-day gap ahead of the match against ATK Mohun Bagan, but from now, the team will play matches every three-four days. How important was the break?

Bandovic: We made some preparations, this is the only week we could have worked, the players recovered and they worked very well. We are prepared now, we have games every three-four days now, so there is no space for work, there is no space for recovery and to see what we are doing in the game and analyse the opponents. So, yes, it was important but we need time, which we do not have at this moment. We are ready for the games, and that is important for me. It’s been a good week and players did very well.

Chennaiyin FC forward Lallainzuala Chhangte was also present at the press conference and addressed to the questions put forward:

ATK Mohun Bagan have been defensively fragile in the past couple of games, how do you look to exploit that area?

Chhangte: As the coach said, they are a very good team, defensively and offensively and we know what they are capable of and of course, we are working to get something out of their weaknesses. We'll try our best to win the game tomorrow and give our very best.

You have been able to get in great positions to score with your speed and ability, but comparatively haven’t been able to replicate that into goals. How do you look to improve that?

Chhangte: Of course, I am trying and the coach is also helping me in the training pitch as well. There is always room for improvement and we will try to work on it and of course, I have to be more confident and clinical in front of the goal. As the season goes along, I will try to do it.