East Bengal head coach Antonio Lopez Habas is expecting a difficult challenge against Chennaiyin FC as the defending champions prepare to return to Indian Super League (ISL) action following their disappointing AFC Champions League Two defeat against Al Seeb.

The Red and Gold Brigade suffered a 0-2 defeat against the Omani side on November 3, despite creating several opportunities. Habas felt his team deserved a better result but admitted that poor finishing proved costly. The Spanish coach now wants his players to recover mentally and shift their attention towards the domestic competition.

Speaking ahead of the Chennaiyin encounter, Habas acknowledged the quality and organisation of the Marina Machans, insisting that his priority would be securing three points rather than chasing another big scoreline.

“I think every match in the ISL is different. The upcoming game against Chennaiyin FC will be particularly difficult because they have a strong team, good organisation and quality players. So, I’m not thinking too much about scoring goals. My focus is on winning the match. We know our opponents and the quality they possess, so we understand that it won’t be easy. The most important thing for us is to find a way to win,” Habas said.

The East Bengal boss was also asked whether the team would enjoy a psychological advantage after scoring nine goals in their opening two ISL matches. However, Habas refused to get carried away by the attacking numbers and reiterated that every opponent presents a different challenge.

On adapting to the domestic competition after their continental outing, the Spaniard said, “Logically, they are two different competitions, but at the end of the day, it’s football. The basic components, infrastructure and everything else remain the same. Obviously, the level of competition in the AFC Champions League Two is higher, but Chennaiyin FC are also a very good team with quality players. It will be a very good challenge for us.”

Habas also dismissed the suggestion that playing away from home could influence East Bengal’s approach. He explained that his philosophy remains consistent irrespective of the venue, although certain tactical adjustments could be made depending on the opposition.

“We are a team that plays the same way at home and away. I have always believed in this approach with my teams. I don’t want to change our system or structure depending on whether we are playing at home or away. There may be some adjustments in our approach, such as opting for a high, medium or low press, depending on the opposition and the situation. However, our overall match preparation remains largely the same,” he explained.

The coach also expressed confidence in Edmund Lalrindika, despite the forward’s goal-scoring returns not always reflecting his performances.

“I have great confidence in Edmund because he is a very good player. He may perform well without scoring a goal, as it is not possible to score in every match. Edmund is a fantastic player, and perhaps he has had to play too many matches for the national team or in different positions,” Habas concluded.

Anwar Ali is also out for the match for the Torch Bearers, after the India centre-back suffered a Grade 1 hamstring injury in the ACL Two match against Al Seeb.

East Bengal will face Chennaiyin FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on November 7, with kick-off scheduled for 7:30 PM IST. The defending champions will look to maintain their perfect ISL record and bounce back from their continental setback.