Mumbai: Back to winning ways after that first home defeat to defending champions ATK, hosts Mumbai City will look to continue their winning momentum when they take on bottom placed Delhi Dynamos at the Mumbai Football Arena on Friday.
Confidence after beating an unsettled NorthEast United, head coach Alexandre Guimarães however sounded cautious aware that a win can take them to the second place.
“The reaction from the players and the team was very good in terms of getting up after the loss we had here against ATK,” he said at the pre-match conference.
But Delhi won’t be an easy task. With five successive losses in six games the wounded lions will hope for a much needed win and Guimarães urged his players to maintain composure.
“There’s no easy game. We have to understand that every game is different. If they lose, it’s going to be a very difficult situation for them and thus, they will put up their best game. We can’t underestimate anyone,” added the Costa Rican tactician.
As for the Dynamos another loss may well end their hopes of qualifying for the play-offs. Injuries and suspensions have detered their progress, but assistant coach Shakti Chauhan was brave when he said, “It’s not about pressure but it is high time that we start winning games.”
The Dynamos have so far conceded 15 goals from six outings while scoring just six on their own. But Chauhan reiterated, “Everything was right: the training, the team and the performances as well. The only thing not working is the thrust in the final third and the finishing,.”
While such a stat may be a huge boost for rivals forward Balwant Singh, who himself has already netted four goals this season. Mumbai have however not been as prolific as Guimarães would have liked. The ‘Islanders’ have scored just seven goals so far.
But Chauhan emphasised there is no pressure and that they have adequate plans for the former Bagan striker who is fifth in the top goal scorers list this season.