Chennaiyin FC probable XI:
The Super Machans manager Marco Materazzi clearly stated in the team's squad launch that his target is to win the title and prove that their glory last season wasn’t based on luck. The Italian also stated in the event that the players who have been signed by the club this season have been hand picked by the former Inter Milan player himself. The Italian is very confident about his team despite the lose of key players like Stiven Mendoza and Elano.
Chennaiyin FC will be fielding a very strong side with the hope of striking from the beginning unlike last season when they had a very slow start. The former Italian player is also expected go with his preferred formation of 4-3-3.
Jamaican international Duwayne Kerr is expected to replace Apoula Edel who has joined FC Pune City for this season's Indian Super League. Indian goalkeeper Karanjit Singh will be the understeady to the 6'5" man.
Chennaiyin captain Bernard Mendy and marquee player John Arne Riise is expected to form the centre-back pairing against Jose Molina's men on Sunday. Dhanachandra Singh and Mehrajuddin Wadoo are expected to keep their places of last season as the full backs of the title defenders. The two Indians have been key for Chennaiyin in the past two seasons and Materazzi will be having full faith in them.
Materazzi won't have much trouble in picking his defence but the midfield will be a problematic area for the former Everton player. Chennai have foreign midfielders like Manuelle Blasi, Raphael Augusto and Hans Mulder in their squad. Indian midfielders like Baljit Sahni, Harmanjot Khabra, Dhanpal Ganesh, Thoi Singh and Siam Hanghal are also present in the team. Selecting three midfielders out of these eight players won't be an easy task for the Chennaiyin management staff.
Raphael Augusto was a pivotal figure in the Chennaiyin midfield last season and he will be keeping his spot in the Chennai starting eleven against Kolkata. Hans Mulder who had a great time with Delhi Dynamos for the last two seasons has now joined the title defenders. The Dutch midfielder is expected to be the second foreign midfielder to start along Raphael Augusto.
There will be a stiff competition between Baljit Sahni, Harmanjot Khabra and Thoi Singh for the third midfield spot. However, 27-year-old Khabra might get the nod ahead of the other two because the former East Bengal has been a part of the Chennaiyin squad for the past two seasons.
One of the front three spots will be obviously occupied Indian star Jeje Lalpekhlua. The 25-year-old was key for the Super Machans in their title-winning campaign last season and will be the same this season too.
Chennai have one spot left for a foreign player and that spot is expected to be filled by Italian striker Davide Succi. Materazzi will be putting his faith in his fellow countryman by handing him the number nine role.
Jayesh Rane could occupy the last spot in the starting eleven against Atletico De Kolkata on Sunday. Chennai have Nigerian forward Dudu in their squad but will be forced to play an Indian because of the foreign player limit. 23-year-old Rane will be hoping to take his opportunity and impress the manager.
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