Mumbai: Unbeaten at home since last season, Mumbai City FC will aim to continue it’s sweet home run, when they take on an underperforming ATK at the Mumbai Football Arena on Sunday. Although fifth in the ten men table, the ‘Islanders’ have overcome the likes of FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC in their own courtyard and coach Alexandre Guimarães expects his boys to do the same, when they face ATK.
“We know that we have to play our best to win. We have to produce more of our quality game, if we do that, I am sure, that it will be possible to continue our home run. Because this is always been one of the objectives this season (to win at home,” said they Costa Rican at the pre-match conference.
“If we are capable of winning tomorrow, we are in the top four. But also they (ATK) cannot lose, for they are going to get pushed further down,” he added explaining the importance of the tie.
Striker Balwant Singh and Cameroonian Achille Emaná have been central to the Mumbai’s chances this season, scoring crucial goals for the side and Guimarães was full of praise for the two.
“Our team is starting to understand Achille Emana’s game and we now know where to utilize him. It’s tough for a foreigner to come in and perform right away but he’s doing well as we saw in the last game,” he said talking of the giant. While for Balwant he added, “He ikes to compete very much. He’s showing that and we’re glad. We’re taking care of him and he is very important for us.”
ATK on the other hand have made the worst start in three seasons. For a side that has won the league twice in three seasons, while also reaching the semis once, their campaign has been disastrous so far with just two draws and no wins in the past four matches.
“We haven’t got a win and we are at the bottom of the table, so that certainly puts a little bit of pressure. We have caused our own problems, something that we have to rectify,” said Teddy Sheringham hoping to change the tides against Mumbai.
He however agreed that despite the poor start to the campaign the management has always been supportive of the former Manchester Untied star. “No pressure from the top. We talk after every game, they have been very supportive because they have seen the way we have attacked (in the) games, how we could have won games, with0 little bit of luck. We have taken the game to every opponent so we are not lacking in confidence,” he added.
A point against Mumbai will be enough to lift them to the eight position and Sheringham hoped that his team will improve in all departments to derive out the result. “We defend and attack as a team. So, if we have lost two games and drawn two games, you obviously look at your defensive qualities. I don’t blame anyone because if you are leaving your goal-keeper or full backs open, that is something to do with the whole team. We need to improve in all departments,” concluded the ATK gaffer.