ISL 2022-23: We didn’t deserve to lose – NorthEast United FC’s Vincenzo Annese

NorthEast United FC head coach Vincenzo Annese admitted they didn’t deserve to lose against Chennaiyin FC by 4-3 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai on Friday. The Highlanders finished the ninth season of the Hero Indian Super League as the wooden spooners as they finished at the bottom of the standings with a solitary win in 20 matches.

However, the visitors bounced back twice against Marina Machans. Rahim Ali gave an early lead to the hosts in the third minute of the game but Wilmar Jordan scored in the 52nd minute.

Subsequently, Karikari and Anirudh Thapa gave a 3-1 lead to the home team. However, once again the tourists bounced back in style as Parthib and Jordan scored to keep their team in the hunt. But, Sajal scored in the 90th minute to give a decisive 4-3 lead to his team.

“The atmosphere here in Chennai was amazing, we played so well. We didn’t deserve to lose, we made little mistakes but we offered a lot on the other end as well. We’ve lost some close games in the league and such fixtures will make the team better. We have had great progression since the beginning,” Annese said in the post-match press conference.

Meanwhile, Annese took over the coaching baton from Marco Balbul in December. The club registered their only win of the season under Annese’s tutelage against ATK Mohun Bagan. The gaffer added that the club needs to be more patient and come with a collective show.

“It’s been two months and 15 days since I’ve been with the team and to see the change and preparations game-by-game so far, we’ve done so well. We’ve changed and improved a lot in the last two months, be it physically, technically, or tactically. So we need to believe in the change more and more so we can reach a high level. We need to be competitive and fit for Hero ISL because I don’t like to lose and since I’ve been here we’ve seen a lot of defeats but we are starting to change a lot,” he said.

Annese wants to be associated with NorthEast United for the next season and feels the team has potential to do well in the league.

“I hope that I get the opportunity to be here next season. Chennaiyin FC who are just three points away from the playoffs, we played a close game against them and the same with Bengaluru FC, we lost to them due to a last-minute goal by Alan Costa, so we’ve fought shoulder to shoulder with all these teams. We need to go in this way to believe and focus on game-by-game and training-by-training and all will be good,” Annese said.

“The fans must understand the way we were playing before and how we are playing now. I hope that many fans watched the game today because it doesn’t matter that we lost 4-3, they must be happy and proud of the players. The more we play the more we improve. We are strong and we are a team now. I hope I can give a good effort for the Super Cup. I hope they keep me first, with me we can improve as the staff, we can improve our playing style and we can really achieve something important for NorthEast United FC,” Annese concluded.