Chennaiyin FC head coach Thomas Brdaric said that FC Goa would be under pressure to make it to the playoffs and his players should use it to their advantage in their upcoming Hero Indian Super League (ISL) clash at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in Goa, on Thursday.

Chennaiyin FC are coming into the fixture after a 2-0 win against East Bengal FC at home. The win against the Red and Gold Brigade was the fifth win of the season for the Marina Machans. Brdaric said that the victory against East Bengal FC gave his side some much-needed confidence ahead of the clash and he stated his players need to be focused against the Gaurs.

"The most important thing is to check out what happened in the past. Of course, three points from the last match will give us motivation and the spirit to push through but it's a very tough match ahead of us against (FC Goa). They are in the fight for playoffs so they would be under a little bit of pressure and we should use it to our advantage. We are in (good) shape and it's decisive how we will be concentrated in the boxes and this will be crucial for Thursday's match," Bradric said in the pre-match press conference.

Chennaiyin FC's opponents, FC Goa, are currently at the sixth position in the Hero ISL table with 27 points from 18 games. The Gaurs are still in the playoffs race and need maximum points from their remaining two games to make it to the playoffs. Meanwhile, Chennaiyin FC are yet to register a win against a top-six team in this season. Brdaric acknowledged the past record, but saw this fixture as an opportunity to get their first win against the teams positioned in the top six.

"It's a good opportunity to give the maximum stress to the opponents who are in the playoffs race as they actually don't like those games (at this juncture). In the past, we showed good performances against top six teams though it is not mirroring in the results. I suppose we will learn from past experiences and we should be positive all the time. Since starting, we have some approaches, some ideas and will push through it. I want to give maximum support to the players and they must deliver on the field. They should learn from the past experiences and use it in the match against FC Goa and inflict a defeat on them," he said.

Chennaiyin FC has been struggling with recurring injuries throughout the season. Players such as Kwame Karikari Abdenasser El Khayati, club captain Anirudh Thapa, Jiteshwor Singh, Vincy Barretto, Prasanth K, and few others have missed parts of the season due to injuries. They have also lost Saurav Das, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after an ACL injury. With two games left, the Chennaiyin FC head coach provided an update on the injuries in his squad.

"Unfortunately, (Abdenasser) El Khayati, (Petar) Sliskovic, Prasanth K are not bouncing back from their injuries. They are getting treatments. My thinking is to try and exploit our opportunities with the players who are fit against (FC Goa). We will find the right starting XI. With a strong mindset, we can be very competitive with all teams and then it will be decisive in the matches. We have to get our momentum on our side," he commented.

With two games left this season, Chennaiyin FC have pride to play for. With the top six spot is out of reach, Brdaric repeatedly has spoken about building a project for the future. Ahead of the FC Goa clash, Brdaric said his players won't be short of motivation despite being out of the playoff race.

"They have the opportunity to be a part of this new CFC and everybody should prove themselves that they are a very important part and that they want to stay here with us and to build a new team for the future. I'm not satisfied with my position in the table but satisfied with the commitments of the guys. They are very humble. They want to work hard and we have to accept the mistakes we have to learn from the mistakes and. We have a lot of meetings with those players with all players within the groups," he added.

"We are not anymore in a situation where we can accept everything. We learn a lot, we give them the guidance where we want to go. We have two games left in the Hero ISL and want to take maximum points but we should try for the future and for the Super Cup. We don't have time to say, let's see what happens in July or in August. For the next season it is important for players to show character and mentality and show why it's worth it to to rely on them and take them for the new season," he concluded.

Vincy Barretto, one of the bright spots for Chennaiyin FC this season, accompanied Brdaric in the pre-match press conference. The Goa-born player who is in his debut season with the Marina Machans, has three goals and one assist to his name this season. The 23-year-old winger assessed his performance so far this season and assured Chennaiyin FC fans of a win against the Gaurs.

"My next game is against my hometown team FC Goa but I play for Chennaiyin FC so obviously I will do my best for my team. I am happy that I am getting playing minutes here in Chennaiyin FC but still I have to improve a lot and I am trying my best to improve my performance all the time in every game," Barretto stated.

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Chennaiyin FCFC Goa2022-2023 Vincy BarrettoMatch 101,FC Goa vs Chennaiyin FC