Mumbai will have Ahmed Jahouh back in competition after being suspended for one game, while Hyderabad will have no Nikhil Poojary, Fran Sandaza and Souvik Chakrabarti. – ISL / Sportzpics
In the middle of its first season in the Indian Super League (ISL) in 2019-20, Hyderabad FC was rooted at the bottom of the table with five points from nine games. Even in the second half the situation did not improve significantly, as it finished tenth with only two wins.
In the current campaign, Hyderabad is fourth with 15 points from 10 games. The aim is to end the second half stronger when it comes to leaders Mumbai City FC on Saturday at the GMC Athletic Stadium in Bambolim.
The Nizams have been given a week off, but they will have a full schedule . Hyderabad will play their last 10 games in 44 days and their coach Manolo Marquez Roca is keen to cement his team’s playoff position. PREVIOUS FIXTURE REPORT:
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Last season Mumbai City won 2-0 at Tilak Maidan. Roca, who had previously selected Mumbai City as the strongest team in the ISL, reaffirmed their stance before the second leg.
« Of course Mumbai is the strongest team in the league, « said Roca of the islanders, who have been unbeaten in nine games. « I keep saying that they will be the champions in the regular season because you know in the play-offs that the best team doesn’t always win. »
The Spaniard also suggested that Hyderabad’s next game against Odisha FC on Tuesday will likely have an impact on their team selection for Saturday.
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« We can have some details in our tomorrow Change the game but it is important not to lose our style of play as we will be playing against Odisha again in three days. It is very difficult to play in a different system or to have seven or eight different players [for back-to-back games]. Of course we have to make some changes in the line-up, but it’s going to be a very difficult game [against Mumbai City], « said Roca.
For Sergio Lobera, whose Mumbai City team are five points ahead of the top of the table, he wants consistency from his players throughout the season. « The level of Indian players is very important if you want to achieve something. They improve day by day and want to learn every day. If we want to win trophies, our level must be Indian players will be high throughout the season, « said the former Goa head coach.
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Looking at the game, Lobera said: « I’m sure it will be a good game. They play a similar style. They have very good Indian players and also very experienced foreign players. It will be a different game. » the first leg] because they have recovered many players [from injuries]. But the most important thing for us is to focus on our style of play and keep the ball in possession. “
Mumbai will have Ahmed Jahouh back in competition after being suspended for one game, while Hyderabad will have no Nikhil Poojary, Fran Sandaza and Souvik Chakrabarti.
Ref: https://sportstar.thehindu.com
