FC Goa has been better than Mumbai City FC (MCFC) in this edition of the Indian Super League (ISL), but there are no guarantees in the semi-final first leg at the Mumbai Football Arena here on Saturday.
Ferran Corominas (left) will be a threat for MCFC
Mumbai:
The 0-5 hammering in Goa spurred MCFC as Costa challenged his side to punch above its weight. The home team launched a fine run that saw it defeat leader Bengaluru FC and it will now hope to rediscover that form.
Goa has kept seven clean sheets against Mumbai City over the course of five seasons and has scored 19 goals against it.
It is a second consecutive play-off appearance for Goa under Sergio Lobera and it will be determined to go at least a step further this time after being bundled out by eventual champion Chennaiyin FC last year.
Lobera’s men have once again mesmerised the league with their attacking brand of football, which has seen it score a staggering 36 goals in 18 games. It is Ferran Corominas who has once again led Goa’s charge, with the Spanish striker looking set to capture his second consecutive Golden Boot award. “The most important thing is our style. Of course, you have to take the opposition into account, but we have to keep working on our strength - our style,” said FC Goa assistant coach Jesus Tato.
While Corominas’ 15 goals have been the driving force behind Goa’s campaign, Modou Sougou has been the vital factor in Mumbai City’s progression to the top four.
The Senegalese’s 12 goals in the league stage is the highest tally registered by any MCFC player in a single ISL campaign. Sougou will be crucial to Costa’s plans in the all-important clash, but the Portuguese coach’s own impact on the team cannot be underestimated.
While all eyes will be on the two prolific front men in Corominas and Sougou, Saturday’s play-off contest will very much be the battle for defensive supremacy. The two teams hold the joint second-best defensive records after the league stage. They have conceded 20 goals each in their 18 clashes.
FC Goa defeated Mumbai City twice in the league stage. But, the host will hope for better results when both teams start with a clean slate in the knockout phase. “We have to see the reality. We have lost two games against it (Goa). I hope there will be a different story (on Saturday). We made mistakes in those matches, but we’ve learnt from it,” said Mumbai City head coach Jorge Costa.
The 0-5 hammering in Goa spurred MCFC as Costa challenged his side to punch above its weight. The home team launched a fine run that saw it defeat leader Bengaluru FC and it will now hope to rediscover that form.
Goa has kept seven clean sheets against Mumbai City over the course of five seasons and has scored 19 goals against it.
It is a second consecutive play-off appearance for Goa under Sergio Lobera and it will be determined to go at least a step further this time after being bundled out by eventual champion Chennaiyin FC last year.
Lobera’s men have once again mesmerised the league with their attacking brand of football, which has seen it score a staggering 36 goals in 18 games. It is Ferran Corominas who has once again led Goa’s charge, with the Spanish striker looking set to capture his second consecutive Golden Boot award. “The most important thing is our style. Of course, you have to take the opposition into account, but we have to keep working on our strength - our style,” said FC Goa assistant coach Jesus Tato.
While Corominas’ 15 goals have been the driving force behind Goa’s campaign, Modou Sougou has been the vital factor in Mumbai City’s progression to the top four.
The Senegalese’s 12 goals in the league stage is the highest tally registered by any MCFC player in a single ISL campaign. Sougou will be crucial to Costa’s plans in the all-important clash, but the Portuguese coach’s own impact on the team cannot be underestimated.
While all eyes will be on the two prolific front men in Corominas and Sougou, Saturday’s play-off contest will very much be the battle for defensive supremacy. The two teams hold the joint second-best defensive records after the league stage. They have conceded 20 goals each in their 18 clashes.