AFC Champions League: Three key battles to decide Navbahor vs Mumbai City tie

Navbahor held Al Hilal to a draw in their AFC Champions League opener, while Mumbai City lost to FC Nassaji.

After a strong start in the ISL, Mumbai City FC will look to bounce back in the AFC Champions League as well. The Islanders were handed a defeat in their opening fixture by Iranian side Nassaji Mazandaran and will look to get back to winning ways.

The City Football Group-owned side will travel to Uzbekistan to take on top flight side Navbahor who held a Neymar-equipped Al-Hilal in their opening fixture. It’s not going to be an easy task for Des Buckingham’s side, but they’ll try and put their best foot forward.

On that note, let us take a look at the three key battles that will have a huge role to play in Islanders’ clash against the former champions of Uzbekistan.

3. Rostyn Griffiths vs Toma Tabatadze

Rostyn Griffiths has been one of the best additions to Mumbai City FC’s squad in the last couple of years. The Aussie has been one of the most influential players both on and off the field for the defending league shield winners.

He plays like a leader at the back and has the ability to stop anyone on his day. The defender from down under has a great vision coupled with his phenomenal ball distribution. He will have a huge task to keep an eye on Navbahor’s target-man.

Toma Tabatadze on the other hand is a proven goal-scorer. He has scored goals everywhere he has played which makes him a big threat for Mumbai City FC. The Georgian recently scored in his side’s opening ACL fixture against title favourites Al-Hilal. Tabatadze will look to continue his run of form in the Champions League against Mumbai as well.

2. Greg Stewart vs Milos Milovic

Greg Stewart has hit the ground running ever since his move to the Indian top flight. He has been undoubtedly one of the best players to have ever played in the league. Stewart has amazing figures of 19 goals and 19 assists in just two seasons.

He was Mumbai’s best player in their opening ACL game and will look to continue the momentum going into this one as well. Greg is a complete player who not just scores, but also creates chances for his side.

Milos Milovic on the other hand will have the responsibility to stop Mumbai City FC’s star midfielder from displaying his tricks on the pitch. Milovic had a great outing in the game against Al-Hilal where he played an important role in stopping a star studded opposition from causing much damage.

He made as many as nine clearances, three blocks and tackles each, while winning the majority of his ground and aerial duels. Expect him to be at the top of his game against the Islanders as well.

1. Jorge Pereyra Diaz vs Utkir Yusupov

Diaz has been in great form ever since the start of the ISL 2023-24. He has got three goals in two games and is currently the top-scorer in the league. The Argentine forward comes into this game on the back of a great run of form in the domestic circuit.

He is a versatile and pacy forward, who has the ability to take on defenders and goalkeepers and make them pay heavily for their mistakes. Diaz is currently at the peak of his powers, having scored in the last couple of matches and will have a key role to play in this game.

But, standing in his way will be Navbahor’s 6.1 ft tall goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov. The keeper is also the Uzbek side’s captain. He held his ground and did a very good job to stop Neymar’s Al-Hilal in the last game.

In fact, he was one of his side’s top performers in that fixture. He is a strong shot-stopper and has 11 clean-sheets in 20 games to his name in the Uzbek top flight. Yusupov will have to be on his toes to deny Jorge Pereyra Diaz from scoring past him.