Two unbeaten teams clash swords in ISL 2016, with both Mumbai City FC and Atletico de Kolkata keen to maintain their strong start to the new season. While Mumbai have won both their games so far, ATK have picked up four points from two matches.
Considering the signings and changes that Mumbai City FC have made for the new season, you expect them to finally end their wait to finish in the top four, and going by their first two match results, that certainly seems possible.
Both wins that the Ranbir Kapoor-owned side have picked up this season have been 1-0 victories, which mean the plan under Alexandre Guimaraes is clear – keep a strong base in defence and look to punish teams with the firepower they have up front.
ATK have won matches on these lines over the past two seasons, and while they conceded two goals to Chennaiyin FC in their opening ISL 2016 match, that defensive discipline was on view in the 1-0 victory over the Kerala Blasters in Kochi.
"We know we are going to play against an excellent team as they won the last two matches," ATK manager Jose Molina said. "In two matches gaining six points and keeping two clean sheets is a very good start for Mumbai City FC.
"We have to be at our very best because we have to win. We will try to play our style. I think it will be an interesting match as both teams have similar styles."
What Atletico de Kolkata will need to do, if they are to come away with a point or three from Mumbai, is to keep Diego Forlan quiet. The Uruguayan has had a hand in both the winning goals that Mumbai have scored this season, assisting the first one while burying the second into the back of the net himself.
Forlan is clearly a player on a different level and how successful ATK are in this match will be dependent on if they can shackle the former Manchester United and Atletico Madrid striker.
"We will try to play the game we want," Molina added, when asked about the threat Forlan possesses. "If we keep possession, then we will need to defend less. Of course we cannot have all the possession so we will have to defend.
"I don't like to focus only on one player. They have good players in attack, defence and midfield. I like my team defending together against a team and not a single player. We know how we have to defend so we will not have any special plan for one or two players."
Where to Watch Live
Mumbai City vs Atletico de Kolkata is scheduled for a 7pm IST (2.30pm BST, 9.30am ET) start. Live Streaming and TV information is below.
India: TV: Star Sports 1/HD1, Star Gold, Asianet Movies, Jalsha Movies. Live Streaming: Hotstar (also available in other territories).
South-East Asia: TV: Eurosport.
Europe: TV: Star Gold and EuroSport.
USA and Australia: TV: Fox Sports.
Canada: TV: CBN, ATN.
