Mumbai’s coach Lobera, whose side lost 4-2 to Bengaluru FC, believes his players can face the upcoming challenge of a strong Jamshedpur squad. – Sportzpics
Not so long ago, Mumbai City FC had a six point lead over ATK Mohun Bagan after 13 games in the 2020-21 Indian Super League standings. Fast forward four games, the islanders have fallen two points behind the Mariners, and the league stage has reached its peak.
In one such must-win scenario, Sergio Lobera’s men will meet at Tilak Maidan in Vasco on Saturday seventh place at Jamshedpur FC. Meanwhile, the Red Miners, managed by Owen Coyle, still have the rarest mathematical means to reach the playoffs.
MCFC’s final league game against ATKMB could be a virtual title maker. The winning team wins the ISL League Winners’ Shield and a place in the AFC Champions League for the next year. In the case of JFC, two big wins and a couple of losses for teams above it could end up in the top four on the table.
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Mumbai’s coach Lobera, whose side lost 4-2 to Bengaluru FC, believes his players can face the challenge of a strong Jamshedpur squad.
« JFC are a strong side. It’s difficult To find space in half. If you have to win, you have to work as a team. It’s not about one player (Nerijus Valskis) and we focus on playing against one. » good team.
« Bengaluru and Jamshedpur are different teams. But the most important thing is our actions on the field. We have to stay true to our style and know that we are strong while we hold on to it. Bad situations can arise during the game happen, but we have to be ready to react, « said the 44-year-old Spaniard during the pre-game press conference.
MCFC had only conceded four goals in their first twelve games, but conceded seven in the last two games including a 3-3 draw against FC Goa. Lobera emphasized the importance of maintaining a balance between attack and defense.
« We have to work harder. We conceded four goals (against BFC), which is a lot, but had many chances. If we had implemented them « We would have won. We have to work on that balance. It is impossible to win. » All games in one season. We were unbeaten 15 times in a row. Maybe it’s a normal situation now. The results can change all the time and we have to be careful with small details, « he added.
On the other hand, his opponent Coyle wants Jamshedpur to play the same way they did against ATK Mohun Bagan despite losing 1-0 .
« We should approach this game as we did against ATKMB. The guys were great with their speed and effort and we gave them problems. In the second half we felt very comfortable and their goalkeeper (Arindam Bhattacharja) showed up. « With the season salvage, with not much time left. Then we were down with a sucker from Roy Krishna, » claimed the 54- year old Scotsman.
Coyle also said he wants his club to fight hard for two more wins and score 27 points in order to maintain the outside chance of reaching playoff status.
« The Players have to compete and make sure we end our season strong. We have to get those six points and get a total of 27 and then we’re going to fight with three teams. There’s a lot to play but we have to make sure that we are professional, are focused and focused on the good side, ”he concluded.
Mumbai City will have to do without suspended French playmaker Hugo Boumous for their next game, while JFC have no injury or suspension concerns.
FC Jamsh edpur: TP Rehenesh, Pawan Kumar, Niraj Kumar, Vishal Yadav, Stephen Eze (Nigeria), Narender Gehlot, Boris Singh Thangjam, Joyner Lourenco, Peter Hartley (England), Laldinliana Renthlei, Karan Amin, Sandip Mandi, Ricky Lallawmawma, Aitor Monroy (Spain), Seiminlen Doungel, Nicholas Fitzgerald (Australia), Issac Vanmalsawma, Farukh Choudhary, Alex Lima (Brazil), Mobashir Rahman, Jitendra Singh, Nerijus Valskis (Lithuania), Bhupender Singh, Aniket Jadhav, David Grande (Spain). William Lalnunfela.
FC Mumbai City: Amrinder Singh, Nishit Shetty, Vikram Lahkbir Singh, Phurba Lachenpa, Mourtada Fall (Senegal), Mandar Rao Dessai, Tondonba Singh, Amey Ranawade, Mohammad Rakip, Mehtab Singh, Valpuia, Ahmed Jahouh (Morocco), Rowllin Borges, Bidyananda Singh, Cy Goddard (Japan), Raynier Fernandes, Hugo Boumous (France), Jackichand Singh, Hernan Santana (Spain), Asif Khan, Bipin Singh, Vikram Pratap Singh, Vignesh Dakshinamurthy, Bartholomäus Ogbeche ( Nigeria), Pranjal Bhumij, Adam Le Fondre (England).
Ref: https://sportstar.thehindu.com