Mumbai City FC head coach Petr Kratky emphasizes the importance of focusing on their own game as the Islanders prepare to face Chennaiyin FC in Matchweek 12 of the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Mumbai Football Arena on Thursday.

Mumbai City FC currently sit in fifth position in the league table with 19 points from 10 games. They have five wins, four draws and one loss so far this season.

Kratky understands Chennaiyin FC's strengths but he wants his team to focus on their performance in the game.

“We looked at Chennaiyin FC both as individual players and as a whole team tactically, physically and technically,” Kratky stated in the pre-match press conference.

“We are fully aware of their quality but as I said we need to look at ourselves and do our things very well. We have to limit the opposition as much as we can. We have to respect their quality,” he added.

“If we do the right things from the first minute and work hard, the result will show its positives,” Kratky continued.

The Islanders suffered their first defeat of the season against Kerala Blasters FC in their previous game. Kratky took away valuable lessons from the loss and believes it was important for his team.

“We reflected and reviewed the result. There were a lot of positive things but also things that we need to improve. We addressed that and started working on this. We are sticking to our ways and processes," he said.

“It is a good experience for the group to understand that we can be defeated as well but we need to keep moving forward. We go again against Chennaiyin FC,” the head coach added.

Mumbai City FC forward Lallinzuala Chhangte accompanied head coach Petr Kratky to the pre-match press conference.

With one goal and two assists to his name this season, Chhangte expressed his happiness working with Kratky and is hopeful for a positive season under his guidance.

“It's a pleasure working with Petr. He is such a humble and professional guy. He brought a big experience from his previous club and I am looking forward to working more with him,” stated Chhangte.

“He was very clear on what he wanted to do since the first day he came in which is really good because every player and staff needs to know what we need to do from the first day.  I hope we will really have a wonderful season,” he added.

Chhangte believes that Chennaiyin FC has shown improvement compared to the last few seasons and feels they have a commendable side along with an experienced coach.

However, he thinks that playing at the Mumbai Football Arena will give Mumbai City FC an added advantage against the Marina Machans.

“Chennaiyin FC are a very good team. They are a much better team than the last few years. They have got a great bunch of Indian players with a mixture of foreign players as well. On top of that they have a good coach,” he said.

“The good thing is that we are playing in our stadium which will give us an advantage and we will do everything possible to win this game,” Chhangte added.

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