Preview: ATK Mohun Bagan aim maiden win over Mumbai City

Both the teams have scored eight goals so far this season.

Mumbai City FC will look to extend their unbeaten run as they come up against ATK Mohun Bagan (ATKMB) at the Mumbai Football Arena (MFA) on Sunday evening. The Islanders are placed fourth in the table after four games whereas the Mariners occupy the sixth spot with six points from three matches to their name.

The visiting side is coming into this game on the back of an incredible 2-0 victory in the ‘Kolkata Derby’ against East Bengal last weekend. Mumbai, too, defeated Kerala Blasters 2-0 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi in their last league fixture. One can expect a cracker of a contest with both sides seeming to be in some sublime run of form currently.

Without further ado, let us take a detailed preview of this particular match.

The Stakes

Mumbai City

The Islanders have come into this campaign with an intention of regaining their spot in the AFC Champions League next year. For that, they have to cement their place at the top of the standings as swiftly as possibly. Presently, they are two points off the first-placed Hyderabad FC as there already seems to be an intense tussle battling out amongst the top-four sides in the league.

Mumbai have struggled in phases in the previous four games and they need to imbibe some greater consistency in their gameplay to ensure further periods of absolute dominance in the proceedings. An in-form ATK Mohun Bagan can really take the game down the wire but Mumbai City will be determined of not dropping points particularly in a home encounter.

ATK Mohun Bagan

Juan Ferrando’s men are on a mission to resurrect their fortunes this season. Their foreign recruits are delivering well and the team has appeared to be in a solid shape in the last two games. Coaches often reiterate that they do not bother looking at the points table so early on in the season. However, ATKMB will be desperate to break into the top-four for starters and subsequently move their way up.

They have gathered some fine momentum from the last two games and an away victory against Mumbai can really fuel up their form for the season. Contrastingly, they risk losing out on all the gains they have made so far with a possible defeat that might compel the coach to alter some of his plans. Hence, a victory will hold them in good stead at least for the foreseeable future this season.

Team News

Mumbai City will miss the services of Amey Ranawade who has been ruled out of the campaign. ATK Mohun Bagan have a fit squad going into the clash.

Head-to-Head

ATK Mohun Bagan are yet to defeat Mumbai City. The two sides have competed against each other five times in the league previously. The Islanders have won five times while the other fixture has ended in a draw.

Also Read:

• Won’t change our approach for Hugo Boumous, says MCFC coach Des Buckingham
• Past records not important, says Juan Ferrando ahead of Mumbai City clash

Probable Line-Ups

Mumbai City: Phurba Lachenpa (GK), Rahul Bheke, Rostyn Griffiths, Mehtab Singh, Sanjeev Stalin, Lalengmawia Ralte, Ahmed Jahouh, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Greg Stewart, Bipin Singh, Jorge Pereyra Diaz.

ATK Mohun Bagan: Vishal Kaith (GK), Asish Rai, Pritam Kotal, Brendan Hamill, Subhasish Bose, Joni Kauko, Deepak Tangri, Manvir Singh, Hugo Boumous, Liston Colaco, Dimitri Petratos.

Man to Watch

Greg Stewart (Mumbai City)

Mumbai’s head coach Des Buckingham has asserted that they wish to put up a show for the home team fans at the MFA this season. Incumbent ‘Golden Ball’ winner Greg Stewart will have a pivotal part to play in that process if Buckingham plans to bring his plans to fruition. The 32-year-old has notched a goal along with three assists in four matches already.

He seems to thrive playing in the pocket space right behind the striker and in between the two wingers. Buckingham has admitted that the team plays a different method with a proper striker like Diaz upfront instead of Stewart. Diaz has shown glimpses of coming onto his own in the previous game. Stewart could really run riot at the Arena if he begins dictating the play from the number 10 spot against ATKMB.

Hugo Boumous (ATK Mohun Bagan)

This game will mark a homecoming of sorts for Hugo Boumous who was a vital cog in the Mumbai City setup that won the historic double in the 2020-21 ISL season. The 27-year-old lit up the Salt Lake Stadium by bagging the opening goal of the Kolkata Derby in the previous game.

Boumous loves the big stage and it is safe to say that his exit from Mumbai City was not under the best of circumstances. He will be coming to the city with a point to prove to his former employers. He has a goal and an assist each to his name in three matches this year and the attacking midfielder will be edging to bolster these numbers against the Islanders on Sunday.  

Did You Know?

• Both Mumbai and ATK Mohun Bagan are tied at the top along with Hyderabad FC for scoring the most number of goals (8) this year.
• Juan Ferrando hasn’t managed to defeat Mumbai City in the league in either of his stints at FC Goa and ATK Mohun Bagan so far.
• Dimitri Petratos is leading both the goals (3) and assists (3) charts in the ISL this season.
• ATK Mohun Bagan have never beaten Mumbai City across all competitions.

Telecast

The match between Mumbai City and ATK Mohun Bagan will take place at the Mumbai Football Arena on 6th November. The kick-off time is 7:30 pm IST. The game will be telecasted live on the Star Sports Network. Disney+HotStar and JioTV will also stream the match.