Chennaiyin FC are ready to play FC Goa in the final of the 2015 Hero Indian Super League at Fatorda’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Sunday and head coach Marco Materazzi has said his team will leave no stone unturned in their quest to win the prestigious Hero ISL trophy. The Italian, speaking to the media on Saturday ahead of the game, though acknowledged that playing in front of their home fans will give FC Goa a slight advantage.“There is no doubt about that when you're playing a home game, there is an advantage due to the beautiful crowd and the beautiful stadium. But it's the final and we want to give it everything,” Materazzi told reporters.Chennai have been the meanest defence this season, conceding just 17 goals in 16 matches. However, Materazzi refused to tag his team as defensive, with the argument that they had also scored 29 goals, only second to FC Goa who have scored 32 so far.“No, I don't think so [that we are defensive]…I don't think our game is defensive because we have scored many goals and I think it will be a good game tomorrow,” Materazzi said.The former World Cup winner with Italy also insisted that Sunday’s grand finale was between the best two teams of the league this season. “With all due respect to Atlético de Kolkata, I think this year the teams that have reached the final have scored more than their counterparts, so the teams that are here deserve to be here. What they missed out on last year was achieved this year [referring to Goa and Chennai’s losses in the semi-final last year],” Materazzi said.Chennai marquee player Elano, who accompanied Materazzi to the press conference, also said it was a contest between equals. “Both the teams are on an equal footing and both teams deserve to be in the final and both teams have difficulties. Everything changes in the final because both have great players so they will try to achieve the best,” the former Brazil international said.“Both the sides are dangerous and attacking. Concentrating more and making fewer mistakes will be decisive,” he added.Materazzi toed Elano’s line when asked if Chennai’s 4-0 win at Fatorda earlier in the season will have a bearing on the final. “Actually the last time we played Goa we lost 2-0 [in Chennai]. So now thinking that 20 days ago we were almost eliminated but now we are here. It's 50-50.”Both Elano and Materazzi also emphasised how important it was for them to win on Sunday. “I'm very happy with what I have achieved in my career. With Chennai, I'm happy with what we have achieved so far, so for the final we'll try to do our best,” Elano said.While Materazzi said: “For me, it represents a valuable target after reaching the semi-finals last year, making the final this year. It doesn't matter where you play the final, it is good for Indian football. Only regret is I can't play [tomorrow] being the coach.”Materazzi, in his second year as Chennai head coach, also said that the league had gone from strength to strength this season. “I hope that everyone sees the difference. I think all of us contributed to raise the level of the league. Last year it took 19 points [the minimum to qualify for the semis], this year it’s 22. So the target of improving football with each season is being achieved. My friends and I will be happiest if that happens because that is why we came to India.”Materazzi also provided an update on the fitness status of the team. “We don't have injuries, we're here all together, here to fight, 90 minutes or 120 minutes. Finals are played by heart. After that it will be all over. So we are here to give everything,” he said.
