ISL 2025-26: Chennaiyin hopes to turn over a new leaf against Mumbai City

Having failed to qualify for the play-offs in four of the last five seasons of the Indian Super League (ISL), Chennaiyin FC face a major challenge, with head coach Clifford Miranda at the helm as he leads the two-time champions in their bid to regain lost glory.

Chennaiyin opens its ISL 2025-26 campaign away to Mumbai City FC on Thursday.

Miranda enters the season on the back of a disappointing Super Cup campaign that saw the club lose all three games and retire early.

The task on Thursday will not be easy either as the numbers are stacked against them. Chennaiyin last defeated Mumbai City in 2020 before the Covid-19 pandemic and have since played 14 straight matches without a win.

Over the past four months, the club has been busy overhauling its squad, bringing in Spanish striker Inigo Martin and midfielder Alberto Noguera.

Noguera is also part of the club’s leadership group, alongside Elsinho Dias, former NorthEast United midfielder and Durand Cup winner Mohammed Ali Bemammer, Pritam Kotal and Mandar Rao Desai.

The team has had a condensed preparation of four weeks following the delayed start of the ISL.

Miranda acknowledged the limited preparation time leading up to the opener.

“Four weeks is always shorter, especially if you’ve had a break of over nine months without much playing time.

«It is very difficult to compensate in four weeks, but we have tried. Of course we are not yet in the best condition, but we are adapting physically and mentally,» Miranda said during the pre-match press conference.

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Defender Pritam Kotal reflected on last season’s problems, when the club finished 11th with 27 points, and stressed the importance of a strong start.

«It’s a new season now. Our main focus is to do well as a group. We have prepared well and our focus is on the match against Mumbai (City). We will try to do our best and get all three points,» he said.

With the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium not yet ready due to recent external events at the venue, Chennaiyin will play its first four matches away from home. FC Goa is scheduled to host on March 22.

«It could go either way. If I’m pessimistic, I would say that four games away against strong teams will be difficult. But I prefer to see it positively. Traveling together gives us time to build a bond and strengthen our playing style,» Miranda added.

The match starts at 7:30 PM.

Published on February 18, 2026