Chennaiyin FC might be sitting pretty at the top of the Indian Super League table, but the 1-3 home loss loss against Goa served as a wake up call for Marco Materazzi’s men.
Chennaiyin’s young star Jeje Lalpekhlua says the team will bounce back in their next game when they host Delhi Dynamos.
The loss to an in-form FC Goa was your first at home. A wake up call before the semifinals?
Every match is important, but sometimes, in football, it is not possible to win every game or perform at your best level. We know we can do better
and we will try to respond in the next game.
You’ll take on Delhi Dynamos who had marquee player Alessandro Del Piero return to action in the last match. Are you surprised Del Piero still hasn’t scored in the ISL?
The team is doing well so I don’t think even Del Piero will be bothered by not scoring. Sometimes scoring is not the most important thing. He ha still had an impact like in the last game against FC Pune City.
Still early days, but do you notice improvement in your own game as well in your Indian teammates by playing alongside and against some of the world’s biggest names?
Yes I do see an improvement in myself and my Indian teammates because when you play with better players, you raise your game further. It has been a learning experience for us.
Can you briefly explain what you and your Indian teammates have learnt so far from the likes of Elano and World Cup winners like your coach Materazzi and Nesta?
We are learning many things from them both on and off the field. We learn about the technical aspects, like for example, these type of legendary players already know what they will do in their next move whereas we take time in making those decisions on the pitch. Also we try to learn from them about professionalism. How to prepare for a game, recover and stay strong as well.
