Defence holds key to go a step up
KNOWN SIDE One of the few to retain the squad after last season’s topfour finish, Mumbai hope to go the distance
MUMBAI: Going by their history in the Indian Super League, Mumbai City FC have been consistent in adding star names to their roster since the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2014.
It was Fredrik Ljungberg in the first season, Nicolas Anelka in the second and Diego Forlan in the third.
But it wasn’t until last year that any of their acquisitions had led them to notable success.
Forlan may have netted five times in 2016 but it was Mumbai’s defensive solidity that was pivotal to their semi-final finish last year.
Managed by former Costa Rica World Cupper Alexandre Guimaraes, Mumbai City FC conceded only 11 goals last season of which three came in one semi-final match against ATK.
Defenders Gerson Viera and Lucian Goian, midfielders Leo Costa and Sehnaj Singh, alongside goalkeeper Amrinder Singh who were integral to their success, have all been retained.
This indicates that rather than splurging and experimenting on new additions, Guimaraes has built a formidable side on the back of last year’s success as he aims to guide Mumbai City all the way this season. Seventh in group stage Santos, who has turned out for the likes of Paris
Saint-germain joined Mumbai City FC from Brazilian second division side Santa Cruz. His ability to play in any attacking position will make him a valuable asset to Guimaraes’ setup that will likely hand him a free role going forward.
The speedy India striker, who spent his first two seasons in the ISL with Chennaiyin FC will be eager to continue his superb form at the Indian national team when he dons Mumbai FC colours. He has scored three goals from four appearances for India in the past three months. The custodian’s performances in the ISL last year earned him a whopping fee of ~1 crore and 20 lakh at the ISL auctions earlier this year. In his six appearances for Mumbai City last season, he managed to keep five clean sheets that also won him the Golden
Glove award. vs Jamshedpur FC, Mumbai vs Delhi Dynamos, Delhi vs FC Pune City, Mumbai vs ATK, Kolkata vs Northeast United, Mumbai