Don't want to mix France attacks with football: Chennaiyin coach Materazzi

INDIAN SUPER LEAGUE (ISL) football franchise Chennaiyin FC coach Marco Materazzi on Tuesday said that the terrorist attacks on France were "tragic" but added that he does not want to mix politics with football, IANS reports.

France was attacked by a terrorist group on Friday night in which more than 100 people died. There were also explosions outside the National stadium where France was hosting Germany in a friendly match.

Marco said at the pre match media conference, a day before his team play against Atletico de Kolkata at the Salt Lake stadium here,

"What happened in France was tragic and there can be no explanation for such an attack. But then I don't want to mix football with politics, if we win tomorrow it will be a gift for the whole side and not just for Bernard Mendy (French footballer). We are however, close to our French friends." 

The Italian World Cup winner also said they have to be calm and focus on the job at hand on Wednesday if they want to get close to a semi-final berth,

"We need to stay calm and improve the things we need to. We have the skill set and the quality but we need to focus."

Chennaiyin, last year's semi-finalists have not had a good season so far and are presently languishing at the bottom of the table but Materazzi believes winning two or three games will get their wobbly campaign back on track,

"I am convinced we are not playing to our potential. We have only a few games left and we need to win two or three to get back into the groove, hopefully we will make the last four."

The former Italian defender also said that he is looking forward to the clash at the "historic" Salt Lake stadium,

"I know what this stadium means to the people of Kolkata. It is a historic ground. They told me the conditions here are not ideal but still I believe the atmosphere here would be good and we are excited to play here."

Chennaiyin have conceded several penalties this season and Materazzi believes it is something which is of grave concern for the outfit.

"It is something to worry about (conceding penalties). In NorthEast it was a wrong decision from the referee but still it is an issue which worries us a lot."

Speaking of his team's marquee Brazilian forward Elano Blumer who has had a few low key games recently, the coach said,

"Last season he was great, and this year too he has been good. He has scored goals, has had assists to his credit, we just cannot blame one single person. We win together, we lose together. As a team we are not playing to our potential."

Asked whether Ethiopian striker Fikru Teferra will feature in the game, Materazzi said,

"Fikru is training hard lately. Let's see what can be done. Sometimes it is tough to choose players when you have so many good footballers in the squad."