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To state that Chennaiyin FC’s defence has been vulnerable over the 17 matches that they have endured in the Indian Super League would be an understatement. Inspite of having proven centre backs like Alessandro Nesta last season, the team from Tamil Nadu has seemed fragile and have conceded goals aplenty.
Even in the opening match of this season, against Atletio de Kolkata, they seemed to be in self destructive mode with Edele fluffing a sitter to concede the opener and then Mendy committing a couple of defensive howlers to let go another goal and gift the defending champions a penalty.
While the eventual result might make it sound tantalising, even the Chennai faithful would agree that if not for the aforementioned frailties, they would have definitely emerged victorious on the day.
As the team prepared for their first away fixture in Delhi tomorrow, coach Materazzi seemed to working exhaustively in ensuring his back 4 hold up against the Dynamos’ star studded attack line. The responsibility of holding forte and stabilising the team will be bestowed upon Alessandro Potenza.
Extremely experienced, the 31-year-old joined the franchise after the expiry of his contract at Italian third tier outfit Foggia Calcio.
He is a product of the Inter Milan youth system and has represented Italy at u-19, u-20 and u-21 levels, winning the 2003 UEFA u-19 championship and 2004 UEFA u-21 championship. While at Inter Milan, the centre back had loan stints at Ancona, Parma, Chievo and Spanish La Liga’s Real Mallorca.
He then made a permanent switch to Fiorentina in 2006 and spent two seasons there before joining Genoa. However after just half a season there, he was forced to move to Catania and spent four and a half campaigns there. Later in 2013, he joined Serie B outfit Modena before having a one-year stint at Lega Pro club Foggia Calcio.
Talking ahead of the game here in Delhi, the lanky professional expressed how his experience in India has been so far, “For sure there is a lot of difference because it is a completely different tournament. I have seen a lot of improvement since last year. Our first game was good. It was a first game. Things are looking good and while I would agree there is a lot of room for improvement, I don't see why we can overcome soonest.”
Adding how he thought the opener was an aberration, he added, “In fact it’s about getting that win, that should initiate a wonderful run hopefully.”
