INTRODUCTION
ISL (Indian Super League) is set to have its most important match of the first half. ATK Mohun Bagan Vs Mumbai City FC. What better way to start the week with such a mouthwatering clash! Taking place at the Fatorda Stadium, this is a 6 point match for both the teams.
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BUILD UP
ATKMB, is second, with 20 points, in 9 games. They are on a 5 game unbeaten run, picking up 11 points out of a possible 15. Mumbai City FC sits on the helm, with 22 points in 9 games, and are on a marauding run of 8 unbeaten games. Both the teams have lost just once in this campaign, and it will be entertaining, as both the Spaniard Masterminds lock horns against one another.
HEAD TO HEAD
Both teams pose an equal record in terms of Head To Head. 14 games, grabbing 5 wins each. The Kolkata Franchise, (formerly known as ATK) has scored 21 goals against Mumbai, while the Blues have sent 17 goals past their opponent’s net.
ATKMB Form Guide: W-D-W-W-D
MCFC Form Guide: W-W-W-D-W
Team News
ATKMB
Signing Sandesh and Tiri from their rival clubs, ATKMB were clear about their strategies, heading into the 20-21 season. With the meanest defense in the league, they have kept 7 clean sheets, in 9 matches. Javi Hernandez remains out.
Formation (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper: Arindam
Defenders: Kotal, Sandesh, Tiri, Bose
Midfielders: McHugh, Halder, Manvir, Edu, Williams
Forwards: Krishna
Mumbai City FC
On the other hand, Mumbai has not failed to score in any match, barring the first match week loss to North East United. Attacking sound, and defensively improving, the biggest hurdle into Lobera’s project are Habas’ troops. Ahmed Jahouh faces suspension and will not feature.
Formation(4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper: Amrinder
Defenders: Rakip, Fall, Mehtab, Mandar
Midfielders: Borges, Hernan, Raynier, Boumous, Bipin
Forwards: Adam
PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR
ATKMB
Roy Krishna
The number 21, will be highly crucial for ATKMB on the counter-attack. He has provided his team with a couple of stoppage-time goals, to see off the opponent. One such performance from him will be in Habas’ prayers tonight. The same fixture in the last season, saw Krishna score a 90+6’ equalizer. That’s how crucial he can be, during big matches.
Arindam Bhattacharya
Having talked about the meanest defense in the league, Arindam is their savior, and there are no two ways about it. A clean sheet today would take Arindam to join Gurpreet on number 2, in the clean sheets in the league history (27), just one behind Subrata Paul. And the fact that he is yet to concede a goal from open play this season, shows how important he can be for today’s game.
Mumbai City FC
Adam Le Fondre
He has already bagged 6 goals in this season, and will be highly crucial, for Sergio Lobera. The striker needs to get more involved in this game, to bid adieu to their opponent. His link-up with Hugo Boumous will be the key to ATKMB’s defense.
Hernan Santana
Filling the boots of the ever-present Ahmed Jahouh means a tough day at the office, but is there anything that Midfield Magnificent Hernan cannot do? Absolutely nothing. Ball Carrying Midfielder will have to up his sleeve, to break the lines. Against a certain attack of Edu, Williams, and Krishna, the double pivot of Rowllin and Hernan will decide which team runs the show. Also, check for a set-piece cross, he might as well chip in with some goals.
CONCLUSION
Expecting an end to end match. The match won’t disappoint the spectators, due to the significance it holds. Whichever team wins this, moves one step closer to topping the group stage.
This match is going to between “The Best Defense vs The Best Attack.”
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