Chennaiyin FC manager Marco Materazzi, on Friday, announced that he wouldn’t be playing in the 2015 edition of the Hero Indian Super League.
Chennaiyin FC, one of pre season favourites, will look to announce their title ambitions by defeating the defending champions Atletico de Kolkata in the Hero Indian Super League opener at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Saturday.
Chennaiyin FC, after a dramatic collapse from Atletico de Kolkata, won of the league stage and were favourites for the title until a resolute Kerala Blasters produced an upset in the semifinals. Chennaiyin FC took that setback in their stride and have returned with a stronger squad that has the potential to snatch the title from right under Atletico de Kolkataa s nose.
The franchisee from Chennai retained players like Elano Blumer, Stiven Mendoza, Bernard Mendy and Bruno Pelissari before adding on few ISL champions like Edel Bete and Fikru Teferra, Chennaiyin FC have a squad that is as good as it could get. Even the Indian players are arguably the best combination among all eight teams. Perhaps that is one reason why Italian World Cup winner Marco Materazzi decided to restrict himself to managing the team.
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a We have good quality in the team this year. I dona t see any reason for me to be needed on the field. The boys will do the job,a said Materazzi.
Materazzi, though, would have to sit out the first match due to a red card in last year’s semi-final against Kerala Blasters.
The match also provides Ethiopian striker Fikru the opportunity to score in an opener for the second consecutive year, although this time he will be lining up against his former team, Atletico de Kolkata.