ISL 2018-19: What Chennaiyin FC need to do to turn their season around

#2 Correct Defensive Errors

Mailson Alves has failed to replicate his form from last season (Image Courtesy: ISL)

Chennaiyin FC's title run in season 4 was built around their defensive might. Teams found them very difficult to put goals past. There were only three matches last season where Chennaiyin conceded three goals or more. In total, they kept eight clean sheets.

This year, they have already let in three or more goals twice in the first four games. And their first clean sheet of the season came in just their last game against Delhi Dynamos FC.

Henrique Sereno and Mailson Alves formed an excellent central defensive partnership, flanked by Jerry Lalrinzuala and Inigo Calderon on the left and right respectively.

Mailson, the new captain Sereno's departure, has failed to replicate his form from last season and has looked a touch off the pace.

Four out of the eight goals that Chennaiyin have conceded involved Mailson's man getting the better of him.

Miku's goal for Bengaluru came from the Venezuelan gaining a yard on Mailson and sprinting past him; he was at fault even before that for playing him onside because the rest of the defence had pushed up.

Bartholomew Ogbeche's second and third goal of his hat-trick for NorthEast United FC came from through balls that left Mailson easily beaten.

Gregory left him out of the starting XI completely against Delhi, choosing to go with Inigo Calderon instead.

Whether this was a move to spur Mailson into better performances or a fix that is going to last a few games remains to be seen.

Which brings us to...