ISL Final: It's going to be attack-attack-attack as Chennaiyin take on FC Goa

Chennaiyin FC and FC Goa have scored a combined 54 goals in the Indian Super League’s second season. While Goa have scored three or more goals five times in the league stages, Chennaiyin have slammed three or more goals in a game six times. If Zico’s team dismantled Mumbai City FC 7-0 at home, then Marco Materazzi’s team walloped both Goa and Delhi Dynamos 4-0.

There is no doubting that the two most entertaining, exciting and enthralling teams of the ISL have reached the final. Neutrals can have absolutely no complaints about the two sides emerging from the league and semifinals to slug it out for the tag of 2015 champions.

What promises to make this final even more fitting is the refusal of both managers to change their approach.

“There is no reason for us to change our game style. I think both teams have the same offensive approach. It will be 50-50 in the final but two teams which played the best football have made the final,” FC Goa manager Zico said in the pre-match press conference. The Brazilian legend pointed out that while emotion will play a big part in the final (with his side playing at home), it will come down to which side can maintain more focus.

Materazzi sounded stubborn when it came to tactics as well: “Our game style is not  defensive because we scored many goals as well. We are  going to play that way and it will be a brilliant game from both sides.”

Both teams had a chance to reach the finals last year too but were pipped in the semis by Kerala Blasters and Atletico de Kolkata. The Blasters had played some breakneck football to reach the final but Atletico’s functional gritty style came out on top eventually.

This time though, the final promises to be goals galore. Both Materazzi and Zico admitted that playing a firebrand style of football makes them worthy finalists.

“With all respect to Atletico who reached the semis – this year  the teams that got to the final are the teams that scored  more because they deserved it. Last year we were ahead of  Kerala so whatever didn’t come to fruition last season has come this year. Better late than never,” Italian World Cup winner Materazzi said.

Chennaiyin may look slightly stronger on paper but for Materazzi, it will come down to the intangibles on the night: “Details and luck will play a part. And the side which shows more heart.”

The MS Dhoni co-owned team certainly showed a lot of heart when they were written off after a wretched run of six losses, one draw and three wins in the first 10 games, but strung together four consecutive wins at the business end of the season to make the top four.

Crucial to this run was the cohesion between their front three Bruno Pellisari, Jeje Lalpekhlua and Stiven Mendoza. Mendoza is the league’s top-scorer with 12. The three players have a combined 20 goals and seven assists. Add to the mix Elano, who has four goals and four assists.

Goa on the other hand, were the epitome of consistency. The longest they went without a win was two games and they never lost two games in a row. Points were always adding up as Zico smartly took draws when it mattered most, before using home advantage brilliantly: at the Fatorda, Goa have won five, drawn three and lost just once.

Come Sunday night, Materazzi’s squad will be extra motivated to take home the trophy and dedicate their achievement to those affected by the Chennai floods: “The team is going to play along and for the people of Chennai,” Elano told the press.

For Zico, it’s about winning it for football-mad Goa and sealing his legacy in India.