Chennaiyin FC coach Bozidar Bandovic believe it’s only a matter of time before his side starts scoring goals once again as they take on Odisha FC in match 33 of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2021-22 at Tilak Maidan Stadium, Vasco da Gama on Saturday.

Chennaiyin FC are ranked fifth in the points table, with eight points in five matches. They have won two, lost two and drawn one. The club has scored only one goal and collected one point in their last three matches.

In their last match, Chennaiyin FC lost all the three points courtesy of a late goal by Rahul Bheke for Mumbai City FC.

Ahead of Chennaiyin FC’s clash with Odisha FC, coach Bandovic addressed the media during the official pre-match press conference.

Here are the excerpts from the press conference.

What are your views on Odisha FC?

I think every game is difficult and you have to approach it with full concentration. They are a good team. They have some very dangerous players. They are good in set-pieces. It’s a problem that we will have to resolve on the field. They have some individuals who can change the game. We are ready for it.

After the defeat to Mumbai City FC how are you approaching the upcoming game?

For me it’s important to believe in the team. I don’t want to point out individuals. It was painful to lose the game in the dying minutes but now my belief in the team is doubled. We keep going. The important thing is that we don’t forget the target we have set for ourselves. It’s a new game and we need to be ready.

Was the formation 3-5-2 specifically adopted for the games against ATKMB and MCFC because they are stronger teams?

It’s not about stronger teams. I felt we could change the system at that moment. The players did well. I wanted to play with two forwards. We didn’t change anything in the midfield. For me, it’s not about the system. System is the starting positions of the players. It’s about their movements.

Chennaiyin FC created a lot of chances against ATK Mohun Bagan and Mumbai City FC but failed to convert. Is this a matter of concern for you?

First of all it’s clear that we are creating a lot of chances and not scoring. It happened in the last two games and against SC East Bengal as well. We need goals and I believe it’s only a matter of time before we start scoring again. Our defence is well organised with discipline. If you want to play at a high level then you have to be disciplined. That’s what I said to my players. I agree we are not scoring many goals but we have to remain disciplined.

Do you think the absence of Rafael Crivellaro has affected the attacking performance of the team?

First of all I don’t like to make excuses. But of course you have to understand that we are minus one foreigner. He is a quality player who would have hundred percent helped the team. But we don’t have him so we continue without him.

Is the club looking to recruit any foreign player in the January transfer window?

I don’t want to talk about replacements. We have a game in front of us so it’s important that we focus on the players we have.