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After playing five matches this ISL season, Mumbai City FC are all set to face off against a winless ATK outfit on Sunday at the Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai. The home side are currently fifth on the points table.
However among the top 5 teams, Mumbai have scored the least number of goals (5), with the highest being Goa and Bengaluru, both of whom have scored 13 goals so far. Coach Alexandre Guimaraes explained why his side cannot afford to play attacking football this season.
The Costa Rican is renowned as a master tactician and is known to get the best out of his players. After a minor hiccup against Bengaluru, he has turned around the tide as Mumbai look to win their seventh home game on the trot (including last season).
Guimaraes alluded to the fact that his side no longer have Sunil Chhetri, Sony Norde and Diego Forlan in their squad. As a result it is impractical for him to try and make his side play attacking football when they have had to let go of three of their most attacking players.
"We have different kinds of players compared to last season so we have to adapt to certain situations. We have to be balanced, I think we've found that and are playing the way we have to play, which is totally different from last season," he explained.
"All the teams have to be solid in their defensive organisation, not just the defensive line. We are getting there and have identified the kind of transition we can apply after winning the ball and involve the players who can produce more in our attack," he added.
Unlike other teams, Mumbai have refused to chop and change their starting eleven. The coach has largely fielded the same 11 week in week out. With a relatively rocky schedule, most sides have had no choice but to rest some of their star players for certain matches. However, Guimaraes revealed that his side will not be doing so.
"Our approach is different than the other teams. With this way of thinking, the team gets into the rhythm. Some other teams change 3-4 players, but this is not our style and we are going to continue with our style till the end," he stated.
