Chennaiyin FC head coach Bozidar Bandovic is delighted with his team’s commitment, dedication, and discipline in their recent performances, and wants them to further up their game in the coming matches, as his side battles against rivals Bengaluru FC in match 45 of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2021-22 season at the Tilak Maidan Stadium on Thursday.

Bandovic stated that he has immense faith in the players to deliver a great performance against Bengaluru FC on Thursday.

Ahead of his side’s clash against Bengaluru FC, Bandovic along with defender Slavko Damjanovic addressed the media during a pre-match press conference.

Here are the excerpts from Bandovic’s press conference:

Looking at the game on Thursday, how do you assess Bengaluru FC as an opponent?

Bandovic: It’s a strong team, they are very dangerous with the set-pieces, they don’t make mistakes. They have won only one game, yet they are dangerous, they have the quality players to score goals, and we need to be our best as we are coming back from a loss in our last game. For me, the most important thing is the players, as they are coming to the pitch after a week’s break. I’m incredibly happy from what I’m seeing for my team.

There were many individual errors against Kerala Blasters FC in the last game. How did you address these errors to the players?

Bandovic: Of course, we make some mistakes and that is part of our job. They know exactly [what’s happening on the field] and realise because it’s very important that we have good communication. We’re a new team in a new process so I want my team to be stable. In these seven games, my team has shown stability, discipline, and organization on the field.

After an eight-day break, how has the team reacted and recovered in the training sessions?

Bandovic: Excellent. I've been proud of my team since the first day itself. They keep the discipline, they show commitment, and give their everything. I couldn’t be any happier working with them and enjoying with them through this difficult moment. The atmosphere is fantastic, and our communication is very good.

Despite keeping possession, Chennaiyin FC haven’t been clinical in front of goal. How would you like to tackle this against Bengaluru FC?

Bandovic: Of course, I need to go back and look into the seven games, and better ourselves for this game as it is our fourth game in 11 days. Most of the games, we did very well with the offence and as I said, of course we’re missing the goals. I believe that on Thursday, for sure, we’ll be better because I believe in this place, I believe in this team, and they need to just repeat things that they did before.

Here are the excerpts from Damjanovic’s press conference:

How would you describe your experience with the coach?

Damjanovic: We are working very hard and the experience of working with the coach has been great. This is not just my experience but as a team the atmosphere has been positive. In the following months, we will keep working hard, keep on improving and we hope to stay stable in our game, especially in the defense.

How has your experience been working and training with Indian defenders and other players in general?

Damjanovic: In Europe, the style of play is quite different. Here, there is more open play, like from counterattacking, so the defenders are more exposed with the attacking, so it’s a bit different. But the Indian players are working extremely hard here, and they have a lot to learn from such a coach.