FC Goa 3-0 Chennai City FC: 5 Talking Points and Tactical Analysis

#2. Goa completely overpower Chennai in midfield

Lenny (L) was the most impressive midfielder on display

Goa came into the game on the back of injuries and suspensions to a few of their crucial midfielders. While Ahmed Jahouh was suspended, Edu Bedia was ruled out with an injury. Thus, the Guars had to field a midfield trio of Lenny, Hugo Boumous and Zaid Krouch.

However, any fears that Goa had about their midfield were allayed pretty quickly as the triumvirate controlled the middle third from the outset.

Boumous was spectacular as he ran the show in the center of the park. The Frenchman received passes in tight corners but still got out of them courtesy some nifty footwork.

Additionally, he was the driving force from midfield and carried the ball forward as he looked to link up with his attackers. Though he was guilty of missing a few chances towards the end, his incredible display clearly offset that.

Yet, he wasn’t even the most impressive midfielder on display against Chennai. Lenny, playing as the pivot in front of the back four, enjoyed a marvelous game.

The lanky midfielder cut out several Chennai attacks with his excellent understanding of the game and was in the right place at the right time more often than not.

Moreover, his passing wasn’t too shabby as he kept Goa ticking through the entirety of the game and barely misplaced a pass.

Against Bengaluru FC in the quarter-final, Chennai’s midfielders had shown that they possessed the requisite quality to ruffle the feathers of ISL teams. Yet, on Tuesday, they were given a rather harsh lesson which magnified the gulf in class between them and FC Goa’s midfielders.