Preview: FC Goa seek fortune turnover against leaders Mumbai City

The Gaurs will want to give it their all against an unstoppable Islanders side.

Mumbai City will play FC Goa at the Fatorda Stadium on Saturday to further cement their grip on the ISL 2022-23 league winner’s shield. The Islanders swept Goa aside in a 4-1 victory at the Mumbai Football Arena in the reverse fixture. Carlos Pena’s side will want to increase the pace of their gameplay if they are to be the better side.

Given how Des Buckingham prefers a similar possession-based style of football, the Spaniard will have to outwit the Englishman in his own game. It will not only be a game of talent but also one of grit and grind for the Goan side. FC Goa have no breathing space, and they have the chasing pack breathing down their necks providing no space for errors. 

The Stakes

FC Goa

The Gaurs are in a battle till the end with the likes of Odisha, Bengaluru, and ATK Mohun Bagan for a berth in the playoffs. As their buoyant run was briefly stalled by Odisha FC in their last game, Carlos Pena’s men will be hopeful once again. FC Goa have to win in order to stay alive and kicking for the knockout stages. Now that the Islanders have taken away the prospect of winning the league, the ISL trophy is the only salvation for the Goan outfit. 

Mumbai City FC

Des Buckingham’s side have a comfortable seven-point lead over second-placed Hyderabad FC. At this point, the league winners' shield is theirs to give away as they only need two more wins to ensure a mathematical victory. That said, they will want to get all three points to get this trophy in the bag as soon as possible. More so since Des Buckingham is looking to return them to their former glory by triumphing in the knockout stages as well. 

Injury & Team News

Mumbai City FC will miss Amey Ranawade as he is still out with a knee injury. For FC Goa, Edu Bedia will be returning from suspension.

Head-to-Head

FC Goa and Mumbai City have locked horns 21 times in the ISL, prior to this match.

FC Goa – 7

Mumbai City – 9

Drawn – 5

Predicted Line-Ups

FC Goa (4-3-3)

Dheeraj Singh (GK); Aiban Dohling, Fares Arnaout, Anwar Ali, Sanson Pereira; Edu Bedia, Lenny Rodrigues, Ayush Chhetri; Iker Guarrotxena, Noah Sadaoui, Brandon Fernandes

Mumbai City FC (4-3-3)

Phurba Lachenpa(GK); Sanjeev Stalin, Mourtada Fall, Mehtab Singh, Vignesh Dakshinamurthy; Ahmed Jahouh, Greg Stewart, Apuia; Lallianzuala Chhangte, Jorge Pereyra Diaz, Bipin Singh

Player to Watch

Iker Guarrotxena (FC Goa)

Guarrotxena will have a tough task of dismantling a solid Islanders side that has conceded only 15 goals. Mumbai City have handled strikers and traditional wingers moderately well. However, the few goals they have conceded have been from disguised wingers like Boris Singh and midfielders like Hitesh Sharma. That may give Carlos Pena insight into the fact that Des Buckingham’s side might still struggle against deep-lying forwards.

Forwards in the mold of Iker Guarrotxena, especially, have an edge against the high-tempo Islanders as they can drop between Jahouh, Apuia, and Stewart. His primary task will be to pop up in the right place and pick the right partner to exchange passes and open up dangerous spaces. Given his rich vein of form, Pena will bank on his side’s top scorer this season to provide cutthroat penetration and creativity upfront.

Jorge Pereyra Diaz (Mumbai City FC)

Although Greg Stewart and Lallianzuala Chhangte both pose a sizable threat, especially with the former’s versatility. The latter’s electric form also makes him a dangerous opponent down the flanks, while he cuts inside. But one thing that both of the attackers have in common is their unpredictability and only one person stands to benefit from that: Jorge Pereyra Diaz. Whether it is a whipped-in high cross, a strong low cross or a cheeky through ball, Diaz has proven himself as a clinical finisher.

Diaz’s movement is another asset as he can make cheeky half-runs and confuse markers with his sudden acceleration on the turn while pulling away from them. Additionally, FC Goa have struggled against the likes of strikers like Dimitri Petratos and Wilmar Jordan. Despite the individual brilliance of Anwar Ali and Fares Arnaout, the Gaurs have faltered sometimes as a result of Marc Valiente’s lapses. Now that Valiente is out for the season, new signing Hernan Santana is all set to step in. Despite the Spaniard’s addition, Diaz still has the potential to be a thorn in the flesh for Pena’s side. 

Did You Know?

• Mumbai City ranks first for most goals (48) and maximum good passes (7010) in the league this season. FC Goa follows up with a close second for the good passes category with their players generating 6339 chances. 
• FC Goa’s Noah Sadaoui and Mumbai City’s Greg Stewart are tied with East Bengal’s Naorem Singh for most assists in the league with 7 apiece.
• Edu Bedia saw red after two yellow card offenses in the 4-1 reverse fixture loss.

Telecast

The match between FC Goa and Mumbai City FC will be played at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa on Saturday (11th February). The match will be live streamed on Disney+ Hotstar and Jio Cinema. Moreover, it will also be telecasted on the Star Sports Network.