Match: Chennaiyin FC v Delhi Dynamos
Date: 6 October, Thursday
Time: 9:30pm SGT/7pm IST/2:30pm BST
Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai
Competition: Indian Super League 2016
TV Coverage: There is no TV coverage of the 2016 ISL clash between Chennaiyin FC and Delhi Dynamos in Singapore.
Live Streaming: Hotstar
Overview
Chennaiyin FC host Delhi Dynamos in their first home game of the Indian Super League 2016 season at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai.
The defending champions had a positive start to their title defense as they played out a 2-2 draw in their season opener against Atletico de Kolkata away from home.
It was Indian midfielder Jayesh Rane, who scored the opening goal for Chennaiyin in the ongoing season. The visitors, after a goalless first-half, came back from behind to take a two-goal lead at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium.
However, an uninspiring tactical change, which saw head coach Marco Materazzi replace the struggling left back Nallappan Mohanraj with Jerry Lalrinzuala, cost them two points as the latter pushed Atletico midfielder Sameehg Doutie inside the box to concede a penalty.
Mohanraj lacked awareness and was not able to handle the pace of Doutie on Sunday. Bernard Mendy had to come to his rescue often to prevent any damage. Former Liverpool star John Arne Riise though, showed composure at the back in his first outing for the Blues.
Hans Mulder will have a key role as defensive midfielder in Thursday's match as Delhi Dynamos have former Chennaiyin star Bruno Pellisari and Florent Malouda in their ranks. Jeje Lalpekhlua and Davide Succi will be better served if the midfield provides them with enough opportunities to find the back of the net.
The tactical battle between Materazzi and his former Italian teammate Gianluca Zambrotta is likely to be the highlight of Thursday's clash.
It will be a stern test for the World Cup-winning Italian in his very first game as manager of the Dynamos as the atmosphere at the Marina Arena has proved to be daunting for visiting teams.
After missing out on a semi-final berth in the opening season of the ISL, the Dynamos clinched a spot in the last-four stages in the previous season. Under Zambrotta, they would want to better the record in the ongoing season.
The 39-year-old ruled out focussing only on defensive play. He revealed he wants to build a team, in which the defence and offence units work closely with each other.
"I'm trying to build a close-knit, and versatile team, highly capable of both attack and defence," Zambrotta was quoted as saying by The Hindu.
Ruben Gonzalez and Anas Edathodika will be a strong presence at the back for the Dynamos. Souvil Chakrabarthi is likely to continue his role for the Dynamos in the full back position.
While Pellisari would want to impress on his return to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Dynamos will bank of Marcelinho and Malouda to provide them with goals on Thursday.
With no time to settle into the new season, the Dynamos will have to be switched on from the word go when they take on Chennaiyin, who will be looking to put up a strong show in front of their home crowd on Thursday.
TV Schedule
Australia: Fox Sports 4 Australia
Bhutan: Star Sports 3 Asia
Bangladesh: Star Sports 3 Asia
Nepal: Star Sports 3 Asia
Norway: Viasat Fotball Norway
India: Star Sports 3
UAE: Abu Dhabi Sports 6
Team News
Chennaiyin FC
Possible XI: Duwayne Kerr; Nallappan Mohanraj, John Arne Riise, Bernard Mendy, Mehrajuddin Wadoo; Jayesh Rane, Hans Mulder, Raphael Augusto, Thoi Singh; Jeje Lalpekhlua, Davide Succi
Delhi Dynamos
Possible XI: Toni Doblas; Souvik Chakraborty, Ruben Gonzalez, Anas Edathodika, Chinglensana Singh; Bruno Pellisari, Milan Singh, Kean Lewis; Florent Malouda, Richard Gadze, Marcelinho
