ISL 2018-19: Mumbai City FC look to start afresh against Delhi Dynamos FC

Mumbai City FC would want to forget their loss against FC Goa in a hurry and seek to redeem themselves with a positive result against Delhi Dynamos at the Mumbai Football Arena in Mumbai on Saturday.

Delhi Dynamos have their own set of problems, what with still searching for their first win of the season after registering three draws and a loss in their opening fixtures.

 

SQUAD: Mumbai's defensive frailties were exposed by a ruthless Goa side, who scored five past them. Three of those goals were a direct result of Mumbai losing possession in their defensive third. Their problems at the back is also highlighted by the fact that the team has conceded eight goals in their four matches. While backline is a part of the problem for Mumbai, it isn't the only aspect of the game they are suffering at. Their performance in the attacking third has been as miserable with the men upfront failing to convert multiple chances created by the midfield trio of Arnold Issoko, Paulo Machado and Modou Sougou.

Captain Lucian Goian will have to take ownership and ensure the leaks in the defence are plugged and spirits in the dressing room are raised. They will have to fight without goalkeeper Amrinder Singh who was injured against Goa.

One can expect the Portuguese tactician to ring in the changes as he seeks to turn around the glum mood in the camp.

For Delhi, the story is entirely different as they have failed to create enough chances resulting in them registering mere 37 shots in four matches. Delhi's reliance on crosses from wide areas hasn't worked out too well for them till now. Although they do have Francisco Dorronsoro, who has been an absolute wall at the back and has already made 14 saves in four matches. The team's defence managed a clean sheet against Chennaiyin and Delhi will hope for a repeat of the same against Mumbai on Saturday.

 

MANAGERS SPEAK: Jorge Costa said he wants his team to fight start from start to finish, whatever the scoreline.

"That loss was not on Mumbai City. It totally was on FC Goa. All the goals were good. Mumbai City got chances but they did not convert. Tomorrow is a new match, a new day. I think that result will not affect the performance of Mumbai City," said Delhi's assistant coach Mridul Banerjee.

Delhi have largely flattered to deceive in their games. They have created chances in most of their games but abysmal finishing have come back to bite them. The three goals in four games does not reflect the number of chances they have had.

"We are playing very well and we have created so many goalscoring chances but we have failed to convert. We are working on that though and I think within one or two matches, we will sort it out," said Banerjee.

"We must respect first our job. Second, we must respect the work. Third, we must also respect the fans and we cannot give up. What happened in the last 15-20 minutes, I was ashamed because they gave up. As a professional football player, you cannot give up," he said.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Mumbai City FC and Delhi Dynamos have faced each other eight times with Mumbai winning three matches and Delhi winning two. The other three matches ended in a tie.

 

FORM: Mumbai had an eventful start to the Indian Super League 2018-19, filled with ups and downs. They started with a loss against Jamshedpur FC but secured four points from their next two ties, including three points against local rivals FC Pune City. However, they did receive a hammering at the hands of Goa in their last match during which the Goans put five goals past a hapless Mumbai. In their four matches, Mumbai have scored three goals despite having 15 shots on target. Their passing accuracy reads 67.71 per cent.

Delhi Dynamos are yet to win a match in the fifth edition of ISL after drawing three matches and losing one. They have scored just three goals from 15 shots on target. Two of these goals have come off of defenders. Their passing accuracy is 67.71 per cent.

PROBABLE 11: 

MUMBAI CITY FC: Amrinder Singh (G), Shouvik Ghosh, Subhasish Bose, Lucian Goian, Sauvik Chakrabarti, Paulo Machado (C), Arnold Issoko, Modou Sougou, Sehnaj Singh, Milan Singh, Rafael Bastos

DELHI DYNAMOS FC: Francisco Dorronsoro (GK), Pritam Kotal (C), Rana Gharami, Marti Crespi, Narayan Das, Gianni Zuiverloon, Rene Mihelic, Vinit Rai, Nandhakumar Sekar, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Andrija Kaludjerovic