ISL: We still need another six points to reach semis, says Marco Materazzi

Mumbai: Despite being the table toppers with 19 points from 10 games, Chennayin FC player-cum-manager Marco Materazzi said he is still not satisfied as they need another six points from remaining four matches in order to clinch a semi-final spot.

"We have 19 points and we're at the top. We need to watch ahead because we need maybe five-six points more to finish on top. Then we watch ahead for the semi-finals ahead. But we need five to six points more. At the moment, we are not happy because we are not in the semi-finals," Materazzi said, after his side's 3-0 win over Mumbai City FC.

Chennai played the game without the league's current top scorer Elano Blumer, who was ruled out due to a calf injury and Materazzi blamed himself for the injury and said the Brazilian has returned home to recuperate and should hopefully play against FC Goa on December 5.

"We need Elano quickly but we need the best Elano. Now Elano is reaching Brazil to keep fit and I hope he is back and ready to score many many goals. Maybe Elano in the last two games was tired. I knew but I had to keep match point also and then his injury was my mistake," the 41-year old said.

The 33- year old Brazilian has scored goals so far from his nine appearances and Materazzi lauded his team's effort to score the goals without their star player.

"I want to say thank you to my boys because Elano didn't play tonight. Maybe, we played better than we do with Elano and (John) Mendoza on the pitch. Elano has scored score eight and Mendoza four. Maybe we are a team.

"If Elano comes back, we will be very happy and he will play. But now we have players like Bruno (Pelissari) and Cristian (Hidalgo). He (Cristian) played very well and scored too.We are very happy because we are a team. This is my ambition. Then if we win, it is better, if not then we will see," he said.

The Italian defender was delighted with his team's

performance and said,"I think I am very happy. We play to score everytime. Sometimes we score sometimes not. This is football. My guys were very quiet in the first half, maybe, they didn't want to score! I told them after the first half we can win today and we won. They are fantastic."

"We play every time to score. That's why we play with two strikers. We had many opportunities today. At 0-0, we deserved one penalty, but no problem, we scored," he added.

He said it is important to rotate the players as they play a game on every third or fourth day in the league.

"We play every 3-4 days, but we are 25 (players). In the team you have balance. Cristian hadn't played a match but he played very well. Not for the free-kick strike but he went in with a very good attitude; my attitude. The first (thing) I ask my guys is attitude and then if they score or play well, it is better. They need to die on the pitch for me and then they can play everybody," the Italian said.