Oscar Bruzon’s relationship with Chennai has been a fortuitous one. After huffing and puffing as East Bengal coach last season (two losses, one draw), his prayer for form was answered with his first away win — 2-0 vs Chennaiyin FC — at this very City of Temples.

“That was one of our best games last season, where we played with full determination and got the points. We were superior to them,” Bruzon remembers.

Sixteen months later, he returns with a similar hope at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, as the Red-and-Gold Brigade take on the Marina Machans in the Indian Super League (ISL) here on Saturday.