“I’m thinking about winning, not scoring goals” – Habas ahead of East Bengal’s trip to Chennaiyin
East Bengal head coach Antonio López Habas and defender Diego Živulić addressed the media on November 6, 2026, ahead of the club’s Indian Super League 2026-27 away fixture against Chennaiyin FC. Habas said: “For that, I don’t think about the possibility of scoring too many goals. I’m thinking about the possibility of winning.”
East Bengal have scored nine goals and conceded once across their first two ISL matches, and arrive in Chennai following a 5-1 win over Inter Kashi that left them with a perfect record to start the season. Habas discussed balancing recent AFC Champions League Two fixtures with domestic demands and described the competitions as different in level while stressing that the basic elements of football remain the same.
On the challenge posed by Chennaiyin, Habas warned of a difficult match given their organisation and personnel and reiterated his priority: “I think all matches are different in the ISL as well. We have played two matches where the goal difference is important, but I think that against Chennaiyin, it will be a very difficult match because Chennaiyin have a good team, good organisation and good players.”
Habas outlined his approach to home and away games, saying he does not alter the team’s system depending on venue: “We are a team that play the same at home and away because I don’t want to differentiate between playing at home and playing away. This has always been my idea with my team.” He added there may be changes in pressing or approach but no structural system changes.
Addressing squad selection, Habas explained that choices are based on fitness and potential and signalled rotation is possible after recent AFC Champions League Two usage of foreign players: “Evidently, I always choose the starting eleven based on the fitness and potential of the players at that particular moment. In some matches, a particular player might not play, but in another match, he might.” He also said of Aké Loba: “Loba has the possibility to play more as a team player, but he has improved over the last month. I have the idea of giving him minutes in the future as well.”
On Edmund Lalrindika’s scoring run, Habas voiced support for the forward: “I have big confidence in Edmund because he is a very good player. Maybe Edmund plays well but does not score a goal. It is not possible to score a goal every day.” He added: “Edmund is a fantastic player, and maybe he has played too many matches for the national team or in different positions. I understand Edmund’s performance as well.”
Regarding Anwar Ali’s hamstring issue, Habas did not provide a medical update but said others must step up: “My idea is that whenever there are players unavailable, others get the chance to step up.” Živulić reflected on defensive depth and team mentality, stating: “Of course, Anwar is a very valuable player for our team, but I think we have really, really good quality to replace his absence... The most important thing is to do everything possible to not concede any goals, if possible. I think we have enough quality to fulfil this objective.” Živulić also cautioned that continental opponents punish mistakes more quickly: “The AFC competition is a little more complicated because opponents don’t forgive you anything. Even a small mistake in the AFC can be very dangerous because they punish you very quickly, which might not happen in the ISL with all the teams.”
East Bengal last met Chennaiyin on April 11, 2026, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai, winning 3-1 in the 2025–26 ISL season. The squad will travel to face Chennaiyin FC in their next ISL fixture, aiming to preserve their perfect start to the 2026-27 campaign.
