Chennai, Sep 21: Two-time ISL champion Chennaiyin FC’s new head coach Bozidar Bandovic does not believe in a long pre-season, saying eight weeks were enough for the players, whom he said comprise of a ‘good mix of youth and experience.’
The ISL 2021-22 season gets underway on November 19 in Goa. “As a coach I don’t agree with long pre-season. I think eight weeks are enough to make them run for 90 minutes and be refreshed at the same time. We start the work every day on zoom call,” Bandovic said during a virtual media interaction.
“We start training on September 26. I spoke to the club about having 6-7 friendly games but we will inform you when we will complete all the dates because it’s a difficult situation. We need to see which teams are free and when it’s good for them and us to play friendly matches.”
The man from Montenegro added the team hadsa “good mix of youth and experience and also some domestic players who play for the national team”.
“We have a good team and now we have to work hard. I believe that we need to make coordination between the players and to make them play in their preferred position so that they can give their best for the team,” he added.
To a question about last season during which CFC finished eighth in the league stage, Bandovic said, “Looking at the numbers, the team did not score many goals. I believe that these (foreign) players can score the goals. We will try to work to make the change.” (PTI)
