Mumbai Vs Jamshedpur Pre-Match: Jorge Costa eyes top four, Cesar Ferrando hints at youth inclusion

The Men of Steel return to the financial capital of the country after registering a draw there last season.

As Jamshedpur FC travel to Mumbai for their first game of the season, the stage is all set to experience one of the biggest games in the ISL this season. While they are missing some of their biggest names of the team, including Tim Cahill, the Men of Steel will take heart from the fact that they drew here last season.

Mumbai, on the other hand, have been totally overhauled and would look to make a new beginning at their fortress after having finished in the bottom half of the table last term. 

Coach's Corner

Jorge Costa (Mumbai City)

Mumbai City boss Jorge Costa sounded optimistic when he said, "We are ready to start. I'm sure we are ready for this first game. It's always very difficult. We want to play free without any kind of pressure and to fight."

On being probed about the current status of the team Costa kept his cards close to his chest and divulged very little, saying, "We have two injuries. One of them cannot be told."

On the ghosts of last season haunting them the Portuguese cast aside the shadow of doubt when he said, "I feel that we are ready to start. Last season we finished seventh, but now we have changed all the staff and players."

Costa hinted on a defensive approach against Jamshedpur FC on Tuesday

"Yeah, in the beginning, the expectations we have, what we want is to firstly finish in the first four and then we will see."

The former Porto man was then quizzed about his attraction to the league and he elaborated on the same saying," Before I came here, unfortunately, in Portugal, we didn't have access to this league. But then, I started to follow Mumbai City. I started to watch some games."

"For me, it was a positive surprise and the quality and especially all the youngsters that we have. When I arrived in Mumbai City and when I started to work with the players, I was very happy with the quality of them and also the way they worked."

Just like his former coach, Jose Mourinho, Jorge divulged very little about his tactics and made a defensive remark about his style for tomorrow saying, "It's the first game and that I have played different formations, but tomorrow we make a plan because we don't know how good they are."

He further elaborated, although conservatively, "Tim is a great player and it's pity that he will not play. The most important for me is to work with my players and to see what we can do on the field and I'm sure that we can do good tomorrow."

Cesar Ferrando (Jamshedpur FC)

Jamshedpur FC's coach Cesar Ferrando started on a very positive note, "I am very happy with the pre-season, but what is important is tomorrow we be fit for the match. I hope we play a good match."

He then spoke about the absence of his star players as he said, "Two players down, Subrata (Paul) and Tim Cahill."

The Socceroos legend will be unavailable against the Islanders on Tuesday

"Subrata Paul has received a three-match ban for the incident that happened in the Super Cup, Tim Cahill also has a three-match ban - tomorrow will be the last game of his and Dhanachandra Singh has an injury and so has not travelled with the team."

Ferrando was all praise for the Tata Football Academy as he said, "The Academy of the team is very well. We can play some of the players in the first-team. This is a tour that connects the TFA and underage category players with the first-team. Also, this has been a very good platform for them to develop. So, I am happy with the Indian contingent."

"They are really good players, but we have a good squad and we are working very hard." He spoke a little about his tactics before leaving as he said, "We will defence (sic) and then attack. You see Barcelona and Madrid, they attack very well, but are good in defence as well."

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Team News

Mumbai City

There are two omissions from the Mumbai squad because of injury about whom the manager refused to comment, but sources close to the team have confirmed that one of the players is Anwar Ali, who seems to be carrying a hamstring injury. Although the coach said he was 50-50 about his chances of playing, he is a big doubt for the game.

Jamshedpur FC

Jamshedpur FC have two players suspended and another one injured. The suspended players are goalkeeper Subrata Paul and Tim Cahill. Dhanachandran Singh remains injured and has not travel with the team to Mumbai.

Probable Lineups

Mumbai City FC

Amrinder (GK), Subhashish, Kilsura, Goian, Shouvik Chakraborty, Sehnaj, Paulo Machado, Mirabaje, Alen, Raphael.

Jamshedpur FC

Subhasish (GK), Gaikwad, Balmuchu, Tiri, Yumnam, Mario, Memo, Soosairaj, Calvo, Jerry, Cidoncha.

Did You Know?

• Mumbai City have never won against Jamshedpur FC. Last term, they drew at home and lost away.
• In the ISL, Jamshedpur are currently on a three-game losing streak. They registered their last win against NorthEast United on 10th February.
• The game on Tuesday will be the debut clash for both Jorge Costa and Cesar Ferrando in-charge of their respective sides in an official game.

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Broadcast

The match will take place tomorrow at 7:30 PM, at the Mumbai Football Arena. On television, the match will be live on Star Sports. It will also be streamed on Hotstar and Jio TV.