5 problems Mumbai City FC are facing at the moment

Mumbai City FC find themselves at the bottom of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) table heading into the game against the Delhi Dynamos, having picked up just a single point in three games.A lot was expected of Mumbai City FC this season with the kind of quality in their ranks, but Nicolas Anelka’s men have flattered to deceive so far this campaign and there are problems for Anelka and co. to solve.Going into the game against the Delhi Dynamos, a game which is likely to have a huge bearing on Mumbai City FC’s season, we take a look at five problems faced by Mumbai City FC.All images in this slideshow have been sourced from the ISL.

#1 Mumbai\'s misfiring strikers

Mumbai City FC have enjoyed plenty of the ball in matches and have kept 53% average possession in their first three games. There have been times especially in the matches against Kerala Blasters and FC Pune City that the Mumbaikars have had their opponents right on the mat, but haven’t in any way been able to make the dominance count.

With the lowest number of shots (37) and shots on target (17) Mumbai City have found goals hard to come by with just one goal in their three games. Initially, it was considered a blip, but the Mumbai City FC strikers failed to fire against Chennaiyin FC at home and it became more of a trend that has had Mumbai City FC worried to the assistant coach Oscar Bruzon’s admission.

Mumbai City FC’s impotency in front of the goal comes as a huge surprise to many who expected Nicolas Anelka’s men to be full of goals. But it’s still early days in the ISL and Mumbai City FC have time to put it right. But facing a solid Delhi Dynamos outfit, it has to get better from today.

#2 Nicolas Anelka\'s groin injury

Mumbai City FC had the perfect solution to a lack of goals in marquee player Nicolas Anelka, but the Frenchman aggravated a groin injury sustained in the game against FC Pune City, which has thus prevented him from taking to the field since that substitute appearance in Pune. So playing without their marquee player, Mumbai City FC have lacked inspiration at times which could otherwise have been sourced through Anelka on the pitch.

Anelka is a class act and has scored goals all over the world and is a player who doesn’t need too many chances to score. With Mumbai City FC’s struggles in front of the goal continuing, Nicolas Anelka’s injury has come at a bad time for the Ranbir Kapoor co-owned outfit.

Nicolas Anelka would have relished a battle with John Arne Riise who is expected to take his place in the Delhi defense, renewing their rivalry from their days playing for Premier League clubs, Chelsea and Liverpool respectively.

#3 Individual mistakes being punished

If you consider the overall game, Mumbai City FC haven’t done too badly. But a lack of goals upfront has ensured the team is always under pressure to get something out of the games. The pressure has told at times and some of Mumbai City FC’s better performers have committed individual errors which have been punished to the fullest by their opponents.

Pratesh Shirodkar who has had a good season so far, made a huge mistake against Chennaiyin FC as he misplaced a pass allowing Elano to pounce and set up Mendoza for the opening goal. The goal tilted the balance of the game hugely in favour of Chennaiyin FC as the Machans ran away with all three points.

Similarly, the center back pairing of Bertin and Cmovs which has looked relatively solid in defense were at fault for letting Tuncay Sanli escape them as his brace sunk Mumbai City FC in the first game.

Mumbai City FC will have to show more discipline and cut out on these individual mistakes if they are to beat a high flying Delhi Dynamos side today.

#4 Nicolas Anelka can\'t figure out his best XI

Nicolas Anelka has been ringing in the changes virtually every game and it’s clear now that he is yet to know his best starting eleven. Mumbai City FC have fielded a new midfield in every game and that has failed to create any kind of cohesion in the team.

Anelka has used three different goalkeepers in their three games, but that’s a problem which is expected to fade with the arrival of Subrata Pal. Assistant coach Oscar Bruzon admitted that they are yet to figure out their best midfield combination and are struggling to cement their identity on the pitch.

Bruzon wasn’t happy with the team after their 2-0 loss at home to Chennaiyin FC and Mumbai City FC are likely to go in with a changed forward line which is likely to see Frederic Piquionne dropped to the bench.

Mumbai City FC are blessed with options in attack, but none of the combinations used by Anelka have clicked so far. The Frenchman must soon decide a more settled eleven before it’s too late for Mumbai City FC to make an impact.

#5 Possible problems behind the scene

Mumbai City FC’s early woes could possibly have roots away from the football pitch. Andre Moritz’s sudden departure from the club after a alleged spat with coach Nicolas Anelka does raise a question about the what’s happening behind the scenes at Mumbai City FC.

Moritz was considered to be an integral part of the Mumbai City FC squad and his departure after having started the first game in Pune has been quite strange. Assistant coach Oscar Bruzon too cut an angry figure after the game against Chennaiyin where he blasted the Mumbai City FC team and refused to comment on Nicolas Anelka’s absence.

There is little evidence of unrest on the pitch, but the flat performance of Anelka’s men means the speculation refuses to go away. The Mumbaikars face a tough task against Delhi Dynamos later today and a defeat today could fuel more speculation and questions about the activities behind the scenes at Mumbai City FC.