Mumbai City FC have been so organised in the Indian Super League (ISL) this season that they haven’t had to be desperate right from the word ‘go’ in any match. But Tuesday would be different as Alexandre Guimaraes’ boys aim to overcome the one-goal deficit after losing 3-2 away to Atletico de Kolkata in the first leg of the semifinal.
What makes matters worse for Mumbai is the absence of their marquee star Diego Forlan, who got sent off after losing his cool on the pitch, last Saturday. But Guimaraes finds silver lining in the defeat as the two goals they scored allows them not to be ‘suicidal’.
“We are now in a position where we have to be more aggressive than ATK but those two goals in Kolkata mean that we don’t have to do anything crazy. We just need a balance between attack and defence,” said the Costa Rican.
“Yes, Forlan will be missed but if you see the games in which he didn’t play, specially the one at home against ATK, we did pretty well and I am sure anyone who replaces him will give his best. And one thing I can guarantee, this will be a completely different match if we score one goal at the beginning.”
Mumbai have not won a game whenever the Uruguayan legend has sat out due to injury but that won’t have a any effect on his team thinks Guimaraes. “In games like these you don’t need to motivate anyone. It’s the semis, it can’t get any bigger. And Forlan is pushing the boys too so that he can play the final.”
ISL format doesn’t allow away goal advantage but Guimaraes is concerned about playing final on Sunday if they put it across Kolkata. “I would have been happier had this match gone straight to tie-breaker, instead of extra time, if it’s tied on aggregate after normal time.” ATK coach Jose Molina tread the safe path despite the fact that they are in a strong position. “Nothing changes for us because of the result in Kolkata. We will not play in a different way. Of course, we know we have a small advantage and we have to keep calm but everything depends on how well we play tomorrow,” said Molina.
Asked whether Forlan’s absence will give them an extra edge, the Spaniard said, “Not at all. Mumbai is not only about Forlan.”
