Match Preview: Mumbai City Vs ATK Mohun Bagan
Mumbai City FC and ATK Mohun Bagan face off as they challenge for the top spot in Match 110 of Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2020-21 at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim in Sunday’s second game, which will also be the last game of the league stage this season. The Islanders took advantage of the Mariners’ 2-2 draw against Hyderabad FC and registered a commanding 6-1 win over Odisha FC in their last match to make Sunday’s tie a crucial one.
The Islanders need a win and nothing less in order to seal the top spot and consequently claim the League Winners Shield and qualify for the AFC Champions League group stage. Currently second, a victory will take Mumbai City FC level on points against ATK Mohun Bagan on 40 but they will move ahead of the Kolkata-based club on the basis of accumulating more points against them in the league stage. The Islanders have already beaten the Mariners once this season.
Although Mumbai City FC secured a 6-1 win over bottom-placed Odisha FC, they still have kinks in their backline which can be exploited by ATK Mohun Bagan. In fact, Odisha FC scored the first goal of that match before the Islanders ran amok to net six goals and change the complexion of the game. The Islanders have not kept a clean sheet in their last seven matches, and will need to be careful against the likes of Roy Krishna and David Williams.
ATK Mohun Bagan, on the other hand, will be disappointed with their result against Hyderabad FC earlier this week as a win would have sealed the top spot for them. They have been solid in the defensive third with just four goals conceded during their run of five wins before the draw. The two goals against Hyderabad FC were due to individual errors and playing against a team that can capitalise on such mistakes, the Mariners’ defenders will need to be careful on Sunday.