'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
What's the story?
Ahead of the next week's matches, Mumbai City FC have been given a brilliant news in the form of Leo Costa. The Brazilian midfielder is currently out with a hamstring injury but it has now come to the fore that Costa is set to make his return for the Islanders in a home clash against the Delhi Dynamos on December 29.
In case you didn't know...
Costa re-joined the Mumbai side this season after playing 11 matches for them in the previous campaign. The versatile midfielder who could play on the right wing as well in central areas was a vital part of Mumbai's top ranking in the group phase.
He continued his association with the ISL side for the current season as well and became one of the many familiar foreign faces at the club from the previous campaign.
The heart of the matter
Costa completed the pre-season training with the entire squad. But an injury suffered in the first game itself against Bengaluru FC ruled him out of action since then. Costa was substituted in the 18th minute of the match after reportedly pulling his hamstring in the 11th minute.
Mumbai City FC have lacked the tactical awareness and the link-up play of Costa as Alexandre Guimaraes, the Mumbai boss, would be delighted to welcome Costa back into the fray.
What's next?
Though the doubleheader in the next week is said to be too soon for the Brazilian, he is expected to make his comeback at the Mumbai Football Arena against Delhi Dynamos in the week after.
Author's take
This campaign has seen a sort of start-stop consistency levels from Mumbai City and the arrival of Leo Costa into the first team squad will enhance their target of reaching the final four by bringing a sense of calmness and experience in midfield.
