3 - The number of goals Mumbai City FC had managed to score in their previous six matches prior to tonight. Against Kerala Blasters, they finally took their chances and handed the visitors an embarrassing 5-0 defeat in Saturday’s crunch Indian Super League fixture.
The victory catapulted Mumbai to the top of the points table and they now have 19 points, as they took a massive step forward in their quest for a playoff spot.
“Today the players were rewarded. We were playing well and it was a matter of patience. We are satisfied but we know that there are still 2 more games to clinch. It’s a good step but not the definite step”, Mumbai coach Alexandre Guimaraes said.
The Costa Rican heaped praise on Forlan who scored a wonderful hat-trick and believes that the Uruguayan needed a performance like this to bolster his confidence.
“Forlan was fantastic. Marquee players are here for this. Not just because he scored 3 goals but also because every game he is playing better and getting involved in the game. He is showing his character to all his team mates”.
“He came here to win. These types of characters are contagious to the team. For him it was important that he had a night like this”, he added.
Alexandre decided to field Cafu in the starting line-up against Kerala. The Brazilian has usually been used as a substitute this season but he’s been impactful whenever the coach has called him into action.
“We thought that for today, we needed one player in midfield who could handle the ball better. He did that very well. He combined with our two defensive players in midfield. The team could breathe with the ball. Sometimes we run too much. We also have Leo Costa but he is injured. He showed that it’s a matter of waiting for his time”.
“In the previous two games, we had good tactical discipline too. Today the way we approached the game offensively was different from the other games. If teams create as many chances as we did, eventually we will put the ball in. Each game is a different story. We have to be very happy but next week is another tough game” (against Chennai), he added.
Sony Norde surprisingly started on the bench against Kerala but Alexandre said that the decision was purely tactical.
“It’s just a matter of how one thinks. We have an idea, how to play against the different teams. Today was just that. Sony is doing well too and he has always helped us when he played. This was just another selection from my part. Nothing more than that”, he concluded.
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