Marco Materazzi at the post-match press conference after his side's 1-0 win over Kerala BlastersChennaiyin FC head coach Marco Materazzi was in a jubilant mood after his side defeated Kerala Blasters FC 1-0 through a fantastic 87th-minute goal from Bruno Pelissari that now ensures that his team are still on top of the ISL league table with two games to go.The player-head coach was gushing about the team’s performance during the post-match press conference, especially as it came on the back of a 3-0 loss to NorthEast United in their previous game. “The team was very, very good!” exclaimed Materazzi. “Today, when I saw them and spoke with them (the team) before the game, I told them that we are a big team and a big team never makes the mistake of losing two games in a row. So we had to win. They played really well and I am happy about the performance today.”The former World Cup winner also added, “In the first half we played high-pressure for 20 minutes and we took care of them breaking forward on the counter attack. We had good concentration. Maybe, in the second half, we tired a bit. It gets hard to run. But we wanted the three points, we played well, and we had a good goal. So I think we deserve the three points.”The Italian gaffer was adamant that although his team did not score a lot of goals in this game, they defended very well as a unit. “When you don’t get a goal the team has to play well and defend, and I think Jeje, Djemba-Djemba, Denson, Balwant, everyone did; tonight, we played well as a team. We are happy (with the result),” enthused Materazzi. He added that his team would not rest on their laurels, with two home games coming up to end the season. “We have to think and see ahead. We have two games at home in front of our fans and we have to respect them because they come to support us. So we have to play well and win the remaining games!”Midfielder Denson Devadas, a Kerala native who has played in all of Chennaiyin’s games so far, was also present at the press conference, and said he was delighted to have played in his home state. “Being from Kerala, it was a joy to play here in front of 60,000 fans, and I also had a lot of family support at the stadium. I dedicate this win to them!” Devadas also lauded the affect Materazzi and Chennaiyin’s international contingent are having on him and his Indian teammates. “The players are very supportive, and the coach always has something positive to say and is always encouraging and building confidence. I like to play with them, and I am getting more and more confident every day. I feel very proud to play for Chennaiyin FC!”
