Mumbai City FC struggled against NorthEast United at home but eventually won 1-0 thanks to a penalty that was converted by Diego Forlan. The win meant that Mumbai City kept their winning streak going and made it two wins out of two in the Indian Super League.
Coach, Alexandre Guimaraes shrugged aside opinions that his side was lucky considering the number of chances the visitors fluffed, ”I think the result speaks very well about our performance. As you play more matches you get more rhythm. They’ve played three matches so far and us only two.”
“We have many situations like injuries and players like Sony missing. It was a game where we needed to be patient and we were. We took our chances. We defended like lions.” he added.
Also read: ISL 2016: Mumbai City FC 1-0 NorthEast United - 5 Talking Points
The coach though was disappointed with the support in his side’s first home game. “The support was okay. I think because of the holidays you have here, I understand the situation. I hope that the fans watching the game on T.V today, they get more excited to come to the stadium on Tuesday. The players need the arena to be full.”
Impressed with Diego Forlan
Alexandre was impressed with Diego Forlan’s performance on the day, ”He was good. Other players tried to find him much more. As he plays more everybody will know his movements better. He’s always a threat. One assist and one goal in two games”, he emphasised.
Despite several players not available to him, Alexandre believes the pre-season helped a lot, “We had a good pre-season in Dubai. It allows me to show the players different formations and different ways of playing. They understood that. But it’s not easy for a team to perform the way we are performing. I am very proud. We had one plan with Sony and Gaston in the team.
“Two games and two victories. It’s a good start. Maybe we started the tournament as underdogs, I don’t know. But we believe in the work that we are doing and what we did in pre-season. The results are because of that. You can make as many plans you want but if players don’t believe in it, you cannot achieve results.” the Mumbai City FC manager added.
Determination and character
The manager also praised the mental fortitude of the side and praised the spirit in the side, “My players are showing determination and character. Sometimes we will win and sometimes lose. But this fighting spirit always makes you achieve. Maybe some people didn’t expect our results. We’ve worked to be solid in our defensive organisation.”
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