Preview: Mumbai City to kick-off debut ACL campaign against Al-Shabab

The Islanders return to action for their AFC Champions League campaign against the Al Leith.

Mumbai City are all geared up to go up against Saudi outfit Al-Shabab in their opening game in the AFC Champions League. Des Buckingham’s side prepared for their campaign with two friendly wins against Al-Ain and Al Hilal United and Des Buckingham stated that his side will try to do as much as they can.

After having slipped down to fourth in the league, Al-Shabab will be as desperate as their Indian counterparts, to salvage something in the ACL.

Mumbai City Vs Al-Shabab: The Stakes

Mumbai City had an extremely tame season, as they lost out on a top-four spot in the ISL 2021/22. They began the season frighteningly well and seemed en route to retaining the title. But, a seven-game winless streak saw them end the campaign with only nine wins, while losing seven games and drawing four.

They managed to gather 31 points, missing out on the fourth place narrowly to Kerala Blasters (34 points). With an early end to their season, Des Buckingham looked to prepare his players with a break and two-week training camp ahead of their AFC Champions League games. 

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Al-Shabab, on the other hand, are still competing in the Saudi Pro League and are far from achieving a direct berth in next year’s ACL. Despite having only four losses this season, they have drawn eight times and seem to have lost quite a few points in the process.

The White Lions also conceded an unfortunate 2-1 loss to rivals Al-Hilal in the King Cup of Champions semi-finals. Head coach Marius Sumudica will accordingly look to set his team up to make the most of their matches in the AFC Champions League. 

Mumbai City Vs Al-Shabab: Team News

Mumbai City are completely equipped for the ACL as mainstays like Lalengmawia and Bipin Singh have been re-joined by the recently recovered Ahmed Jahouh in the roster. On April 1, the Islanders announced their 29-member squad for the competition. While players like Rahul Bheke, Mourtada Fall, Mehtab Singh and Igor Angulo will look to retain their starting spots.

Breakthrough entrants like Diego Mauricio and Vinit Rai will hope to start some games. Unfortunately, Mumbai City will miss the services of Rowlin Borges, who is still recovering from the knee injury that ruled him out of ISL 8. He will not participate in the ACL, confirmed Buckingham.

Al-Shabab enter their match against Mumbai City with a fully fit roster of players. Marius Sumudica, fortunately, has no suspensions or injuries to worry about. Accordingly, he can rival the Islanders' selection with his own, as star players Ever Banega, Carlos, Luciano Vietto and Paulinho are all available for his side. 

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Mumbai City Vs Al-Shabab: Head-to-Head

Mumbai City will be playing in the AFC Champions League for the first time but apart from that, they have never gone up against Al-Shabab. This will be their first meeting in any competition. Both will be looking to make a mark on the record books with a win. 

Mumbai City Vs Al-Shabab: Probable Line-ups

Mumbai City FC: Mohammad Nawaz (GK); Rahul Bheke, Mourtada Fall, Mehtab Singh, Vignesh; Ahmed Jahouh, Apuia; Lallianzuala Chhangte, Bradden Inman, Bipin Singh; Igor Angulo.

Al-Shabab FC: Al-Qarni (GK); Fawaz Al Saqour, Iago Santos, Hassan Tambakti, Motel Al-Harbi; Ever Banega, Alfred N’Diaye, Paulinho; Nawaf Al-Abed, Carlos, Hattan Bahebri.

Mumbai City Vs Al-Shabab: Players to Watch

Ahmed Jahouh (Mumbai City)

With seven assists and three goals in 15 matches, the Moroccan maestro has been one of the stars for his side. Despite playing five fewer matches due to injury, he actually picked up where he left off with a goal against Al-Ain in the friendly. Needless to say, the midfielder will be crucial for his side to not only advance play but also break up dangerous offensive moves.

His set-piece brilliance will also be a much-needed tool in the Islanders’ arsenal, as he will look to setup his favoured targets in Mourtada Fall or Igor Angulo. However, a lot depends on his battle with Ever Banega or Paulinho in the heart of midfield, as that will potentially dictate the flow of the game. He will be going up against renowned players, but he has shown before that he has the mettle to prove himself and can be vouched for, time and again.

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Ever Banega (Al-Shabab)

The former Inter Milan and Sevilla player will no doubt be the Saudi side’s biggest threat against Mumbai City. He already has seven goals and five assists from 26 appearances in the league and league cup this season. Additionally, his last goal came in Al-Shabab’s last game against giants Al-Hilal in the King Cup of Champions semi-final.

Sumudica will look to him once again, to orchestrate attacks and pull the strings at the base of midfield. If he is allowed to operate freely, he can not only go ahead and get on the scoresheet himself but also release his teammates to do so as well.

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Did You Know?

• Mumbai City will only be the second club to represent India in the AFC Champions League.
• Indian clubs have never won a game in the ACL and Mumbai City are vying to be the first team to do so.
• Al-Shabab have never made it to the finals of the competition, but have six knockout stage appearances on the books.

Telecast

The match will be played at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The AFC Champions League 2022 will be telecast on the Star Sports 3 in India. Live streaming will also be available on the Disney+ Hotstar app & website as well as on JIO TV.

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