Defending champions Ateltico de Kolkata host Chennaiyin FC in the second leg of the Indian Super League semi-finals at the Salt Lake Stadium. Atletico de Kolkata have everything to play for after going down 3-0 in the first leg in Pune. Bruno Pelissari, Jeje, and Stiven Mendoza were on the scoresheet for Chennaiyin FC, who are now favourites to make it to the final against FC Goa in Goa.
Atletico de Kolkata have won big in few of their home games this season and will be hoping for a miracle, but that looks even more difficult in the absence of their skipper Borja Fernandez and Ofentse Nato. Chennaiyin FC should be wary though, as they themselves clawed their way back from a 3-0 deficit last season to only narrowly miss out in extra time.
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Kickoff and Live Telecast
Live Telecast: Star Sports 2 & 3, Star Sports HD2 & HD3
Live Streaming: starsports.com
Date and Time: 16 December 2015 – 19:00 IST
Venue: Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata
Team News
Atletico de Kolkata have a few major injury concerns with key midfield duo Borja Fernandez and Ofentse Nato picking up hamstring injuries in the last game, and are expected to miss the game. Marquee signing Helder Postiga is yet to recover from his injury and it’s highly unlikely he’ll play any part tomorrow. Juan Calatayud might get a rare start tomorrow ahead of Amrinder Singh, as the Indian shot-stopper had a poor first leg. Jorge Alonso might replace Borja Fernandez in the starting XI. Jewel Raja is likely to start in the absence of Ofentse Nato, while the rest of the team is expected to remain unchanged.
As for Chennaiyin FC, Rapahel Augusto is the only injury concern, who is struggling with a hamstring injury. Marquee signing Elano Blumer is fit again and available for selection, but we have to wait and see if Marco Materazzi will start him. Stiven Mendoza is expected to start up front with Pelissari and Jeje alongside him. Blasi and Thoi Singh are expected to start in the midfield, while Wadoo is expected to return back in the starting XI to replace Khabra.
Probable starting XIs
Atletico de Kolkata: Calatayud, Anto, Arnab, Tiri, Augustin, Alonso, Raja, Izumi, Gavilan, Doutie, Hume
Chennaiyin FC: Bete, Wadoo, Mailson, Mendy, Singh, Thoi Singh, Blasi, Zakeer, Jeje, Mendoza, Pelissari
Key battles
Iain Hume vs Bernard Mendy
Iain Hume will have to be in top form if Atletico de Kolkata stand any chance of making up their three goal deficit. The Candian striker is in fine goal scoring form having scored 10 goals this season, and a lot of pressure will be on his shoulders in the second leg. With his direct play and high work rate, Hume can trouble Mendy, who will need to be at his best to stop him from scoring once again. Mendy also needs to be careful against Hume as he is the most fouled player in the league.
Tiri vs Stiven Mendoza
It seems no defender in the Indian Super League can stop Stiven Mendoza from scoring, who has already scored 12 goals so far in the tournament and also found the back of the net in the first leg. Atletico de Kolkata have kept just one clean sheet this season, and it’s highly likely Mendoza will continue his goal scoring form in the second leg too. Tiri has been Atletico de Kolkata’s best defender this season, but he will have to be at his best if he hopes to keep Mendoza quiet tomorrow.
Prediction
Chennaiyin FC have won their last five games, and it’s likely they’ll come on top again in the second leg. Atletico de Kolkata are likely to struggle in the absence of Borja Fernadez and Ofentse Nato.
Atletico de Kolkata 0-4 Chennaiyin FC (aggregate)
