Mumbai City vs FC Nassaji: Three Key Battles to decide AFC Champions League tie

FC Nassaji will be making their AFC Champions League debut.

Mumbai City FC are gearing up for their 2023-24 AFC Champions League opener, where they'll go up against FC Nassaji Mazandaran. Despite their remarkable performance last season, where they clinched the ISL League Shield, they faced disappointment in the 2022-23 AFC Champions League as they were unable to advance beyond the group stage.

Mumbai City FC have been engulfed into Group D of the 2023-24 AFC Champions League, alongside Al Hilal SFC of Saudi Arabia, FC Nassaji Mazandaran of Iran, and Navbahor of Uzbekistan. The draw was conducted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Thursday, August 24. Des Buckingham is aiming for a good outcome against FC Nassaji Mazandaran when they face each other on September 18.

Here are three key matchups to watch out for in the game:

3. Jorge Pereyra Diaz vs Mohammad Rashid Mazaheri

The 32-year-old forward played a crucial role in Mumbai City FC's successful 2022-23 Indian Super League season, where the team clinched the League Winners' Shield. Díaz made significant contributions by scoring 12 goals and assisting 10 times across all competitions. Notably, he shared the third-highest goal contribution along with Greg Stewart and Lallianzuala Chhangte, highlighting their collective impact on the Islanders' performance.

Mumbai City FC have been heavily reliant on their valiant striker Jorge Pereyra Diaz. It will be a tough task for Nassaji Mazandaran goalkeeper Mohammad Rashid Mazaheri to keep Diaz at bay.

2. Lalengmawia Ralte vs Hossein Zamehran

Lalengmawia Ralte, commonly known as Apuia, is widely recognized as one of the premier box-to-box midfielders in India. Renowned for his exceptional work-rate, tenacity, ability to intercept passes, and precise passing, Apuia also displays a new dimension to his game by carrying out dangerous attacks.

Hossein Zamehran and Apuia are two contrasting midfielders and their clash will be an interesting one to watch. Zamehran is a creative playmaker, while Apuia is a hard-working ball-winner. It will be a battle of wit and grit when these two players meet on the pitch.

1. Phurba Lachenpa vs Mohammad Reza Azadi

Lachenpa's goalkeeping display for the Islanders in the previous season was exceptional. In 22 ISL appearances, he managed to make 64 saves, conceding only 23 times and achieving seven clean sheets – a performance that ranked him third in the league for clean sheets.

Mohammad Reza Azadi is a promising striker who has been in good form for the Iranian side. He is hoping to make a name for himself in the AFC Champions League, and Mumbai City FC will be a great team for him to do so.