ISL 2014: Chennaiyin FC have mountain to climb in second-leg semi-final against Kerala Blasters

Chennaiyin FC have their task cut out as they seek to overturn a 0-3 deficit in the second leg semi-final of the Indian Super League on Tuesday.

Table toppers in the group stage, Chennaiyin FC had been humbled 3-0 by Kerala Blasters in the away leg last-four clash two days ago.The Chennai outfit would look to make home advantage count, though they will have to do much more than just relying on what is expected to be a packed crowd at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

High on confidence after the result in the first leg semi-final, the visitors would look to guard against complacency as Chennaiyin has the wherewithal to effect a turnaround. But for that, the hosts will have to raise their game to another level. The return of tournament top scorer Elano Blumer of Brazil and the arrival of Italian World Cup winner Alessandro Nesta has definitely made Chennaiyin FC look strong on paper and the time is ripe to deliver the goods on the field.

Chennaiyin FC's marquee manager-cum-player Marco Materazzi knows it too well that his side didn't play to its potential the other evening, and it will be important for them that he succeeds in making his players believe in their ability to stage a fightback. For Chennaiyin, it will be nothing less than a Herculean task to wipe out the three-goal deficit against a side whose confidence has sky-rocketed, and whose players have started to shine and are in the mood to outshine their fancied opponents.

Materazzi believes 'nothing is impossible' in football and says the first half will be very important where they will have to take their chances.