Miranda accepts the blame as Chennaiyin prepares for the challenge in Bengaluru

Seven defeats, three draws and just two 1-0 wins have left the club in 13th place, better than relegation-threatened Mohammedan SC. And the final match against title-chasing Bengaluru FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Saturday offers little encouragement.

Both clubs started with Indian managers, and Chennaiyin’s Clifford Miranda survived the entire length of the season, while his counterpart, Renedy Singh, was replaced by Spaniard Pep Munoz.

Despite keeping his job, Miranda accepted blame for the troubling reality. «It’s disappointing to say the least. (Chennaiyin) has always been among the top. Over the years it has gone downhill. This year was the worst,» he said at the pre-match press conference.

Disappointing is perhaps the best description Miranda could have given. Despite a fair amount of ISL hardened and fresher faces during the transfer window, Chennaiyin’s performance has been well below standards.

«For me, I am the first to take responsibility. The club was very clear with me about what was available and what could be made available,» he said.

Acquisitions such as Mohammed Ali Bemammer and Alberto Noguera provided optimism, but due to the lack of proper preparation, the veterans in the team ran out of gas in the tank.

«If we have really experienced players, we have to build them up during the preseason to get them in good physical condition. With experience we can have a few good phases, but then it drops,» Miranda explains.

The effects of these drops have hit the attacking club the most. Apart from Mohammedan, Chennaiyin is the only team to reach double figures in the number of goals scored so far this season.

«Our conversion rate is only 15 percent, despite having plenty of chances. Teams above us have created less but scored more. If we miss an opportunity and the opponent scores, and if it becomes a pattern, the team starts to lose confidence.»

Meanwhile, Munoz hasn’t had the most convincing start to life in Bengaluru either. Two draws, one win and one loss under him have left the Blues in fourth place, two points off first place.

However, Munoz needs a win to stay alive in the title race and will take his chances after Bengaluru last week became the first team to beat Jamshedpur FC at home this season.

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«The last game was really good. We controlled the pace and we played in a structure that gave us confidence. But we need more training, we need more games, and hopefully in the next season we can do that (find rhythm) as quickly as possible,» Munoz said.

However, he remained reserved about his side’s title chances, saying: «First of all, we need to be as equal as possible with the opponents who will be fighting for the trophy next season. We could try to sign the foreigners we need to compete with them. And then we can try to make a difference with the quality of local players we have.»

But an attack consisting of Brian Sánchez, Ryan Williams and Ashique Kuruniyan, with the option of introducing Sunil Chhetri, could be enough to trouble an already ailing Chennaiyin.

Miranda confirmed that Noguera, Bemammer and Laldinliana Renthlei were among the major absentees for the early kick-off, but assured that his team would “fight with what we have” for the last time this season.

Published on May 15, 2026