Indian Super League 2018: Chennai look to test squad against Mumbai

File photo of John Gregory (Reuters)

Chennai: Chennaiyin FC coach John Gregory was full for praise for his players ahead of their concluding Indian Super League (ISL) clash against Mumbai City FC and is looking forward to giving some lesser-known players a chance at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Saturday. Chennaiyin FC has qualified for the semi-finals and can finish anywhere between two and four.

The team coach said he was not bothered about their semi-final opponents and will start focusing on that crucial game only after the ISL clash against Mumbai."I will make one or two changes. Give minutes to some of the guys who were on the bench or upstairs. They thoroughly deserve the chance. 

"If they perform well enough and they fit into the system, I always have a (selection) headache (for the next game)," said Gregory.

The experienced coach, who has almost 30 years of coaching experience which includes managing some top teams, could not stop praising his team`s professionalism.

"I`ve got a group of incredible players. I`ve been with several teams in my career but never known a group quite like this one. An absolute pleasure to be around and work with. They deserve all plaudits.

"I hope we can at least take one step further (and qualify for the final)," he said.

Chennaiyin FC won the title in 2015 but failed to qualify for the playoffs last season under Italian World Cup winner Marco Materazzi.

On the other end, Mumbai City FC failed in their bid to seek qualification after losing their last match against Delhi Dynamos FC. "We have not lost our perspective in terms of playing the last game with all the resources available for us to play.

"So, I will put the best players available to play, because we have been through a lot of situations and injuries and let`s see who is available. We will try to win the game. If we can win tomorrow, we can finish sixth," coach Alexandre Guimaraes said.

Mumbai City FC are placed seventh with 23 points and will overtake sixth-placed Kerala Blasters (25 points) if they get full points from their last match against Chennaiyin FC.