First and second spots should have some extra advantage: Zico

                                       

"For me it’s a valuable target," said Materazzi of his team’s improvement from last year. "It’s a great achievement."

Chennaiyin FC and FC Goa were the table-toppers last year. But both lost their respective semifinal matches. This year however, the two have progressed one step further and are all-set to contest the final on Sunday.

“With all respect to Atletico de Kolkata, I think this year, the teams that got to the final are the ones which have scored the most,” said Chennaiyin’s manager Marco Materazzi. “Last year it was Atletico and Kerala Blasters and whatever didn’t come last year, came this year. Better late than never.”

“For me it’s a valuable target,” said Materazzi of his team’s improvement from last year. “It’s a great achievement.”

On his part, Zico said that last year too they could have reached the final. “I always think first and second spot should have some extra advantage. So this year I am happy.”

“But I have to congratulate Kolkata too because they played according to rules and won the title.”

When asked about home advantage though, they didn’t seem to concur.

“There is no doubt that when you play at home, it is an advantage,” said Materazzi. “But it’s a final and we are looking forward to it.”

“We always like to play inGoa. But it’s not an advantage,” said Zico. “Many teams have won away games. It’s not much of a difference.”

Also, marquee signing Elano sent out a message to the people of Chennai who have suffered much due to the recent floods. “It’s a very sad story. We are with the people. This is dedicated to them.”