ISL 2020-21 Semi-Final: 5 Key battles to watch out for in FC Goa vs Mumbai City FC semifinal:The knockout stage of the Indian Super League will kick off with the first semifinal between FC Goa and Mumbai City FC at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa on Friday. With both teams matching each other strength to strength, it will be an interesting battle.
Two of the best attacking sides in the ISL 2020-21, FC Goa and Mumbai City will have plenty of players to take on each other. But on each side, there will be five key players who are expected to steal the show and fight it out on Fatorda pitch to give their team an early advantage in the two-legged semifinal clash.
Igor Angulo vs Mourtada Fall: With 13 strikes, Igor Angulo has scored nearly 42% of FC Goa’s goals. His fine form and 25% conversion rate has been instrumental in the team’s Top-4 finish in the league. In the semifinal though, he will have an able opponent in Mourtada Fall. The Senegalese defender has been Mumbai’s pillar in defence. At the back, he controls the game with over 84% passing accuracy, 120 clearances and 27 blocks. It will be an interesting battle between the two on Friday.
Edu Bedia vs Hugo Boumous: Two of the best midfielders in the ISL, the two former teammates at Goa will go head to head on Friday. Bedia, Goa’s skipper, has been the commander of the game. Under Juan Ferrando, he has given a free role in controlling the pace of the game and join the attack. With both players commanding the game for their respective sides, their clash will be an interesting one to watch.
Rowlin Borges vs Jorge Ortiz: Another key battle in the midfield will be between Rowlin Borges and Jorge Ortiz. Borges has had one of the best seasons in the league under Sergio Lobera. As a defensive midfielder, he has been instrumental in Mumbai’s fantastic excellent defensive record this season where they have conceded just 18 goals in 20 matches. But he will be up against a workhorse in FC Goa’s Jorge Ortiz. The Spaniard has been Goa’s one of the most influential players. He has scored six goals this season and has assisted one so far.
Adam Le Fondre vs James Donachie: With 11 strikes this season, Adam Le Fondre has been Mumbai’s top scorer. His scoring form will be crucial against Goa on Friday. But he will be up against Goa’s James Donachie, who has had a good season in defence. The Australian defender will have a tough task in hand against Le Fondre.
Sergio Lobera vs Juan Ferrando: While the players will battle it out on the pitch, it will two former Barcelona youth coaches’ strategies that will come to the fore. Mumbai coach Sergio Lobera and Goa coach Juan Ferrando have a similar footballing philosophy and style. As both love to keep possession and attack from the back, it will be interesting to see who comes out on top in the battle of strategies.