Mumbai City return to the Mumbai Football Arena to host Chennaiyin FC in a crucial fixture. With a win against Mohameddan SC under their belt, the Islanders are determined to put on a dynamic display at the Mumbai Football Arena. Head Coach Petr Kratky and Captain Lallianzuala Chhangte expressed optimism about the upcoming encounter and anticipated a hard-fought contest.
Reflecting on their recent 1-0 away victory over Mohammedan SC, Kratky expressed satisfaction with the result while pointing out areas for improvement. He said, "I’m satisfied with three points, to be honest. I think our football was good in some patches, but for me, I’m aiming for a higher standard. I want a bit better and more consistent performance overall. I’m glad we didn’t concede, and we scored a goal; I’m very positive about us,” he said.
Earlier in the season, the reverse fixture saw Mumbai City and Chennayin FC share points after a 1-1 draw. Looking ahead to the challenge Chennaiyin FC presents, Kratky underlined the importance of both defensive organization and attacking sharpness. "We have to make sure we defend well. In our last couple of games, we did well to get it all together. But also, converting the chances, creating more chances, being more dynamic in the front field, and scoring more goals than the opposition is important. So that's the area where we're focusing on”, he added.
Captain Lallianzuala Chhangte anticipated a hard-fought and physical encounter, emphasizing the team's resolve to emerge victorious. He stated, "It's simple because tomorrow it's all about who will fight harder and push longer. It's going to be really physical, and I feel it's going to be the team that never gives up, that's the team that's going to win, and we will make sure that's us."
With the match marking the halfway point of the season, Chhangte reflected on the campaign so far, noting the unique challenges Mumbai City face as defending champions. "Everyone wants to win against Mumbai City, and we are the defending champions. It doesn't matter whether it's the team at the bottom of the table or the team at the top; they all give us a hard time. The three points we want are hard to come by because we are Mumbai City. We just need to click again, and hopefully, I will score my next goal against Chennaiyin,” he said.
Chhangte also emphasized the importance of turning draws into victories and acknowledged the collective effort of the entire team. "I think in our games, it's not about the points we give away; I feel it's about the points we did not take. We will make sure in the next match that we grab all those points. It is crucial that we change the draws into wins, and we will give our best. Every member of the team has worked incredibly hard—the players, coaching staff, and management. I believe, as the new year is coming up, hopefully, things will turn around," he remarked.
Beyond the technical aspects, Chhangte shared his leadership philosophy, stressing the importance of unity within the squad. "To foster a better environment and create unity among the team—that's my main objective. At the end of the day, it's not about individual skills, it's about us as a team: how we play together, how we support each other on and off the field. That's more important than anything else,” he noted.
Head Coach Kratky also had a special message for the fans, expressing his excitement about returning to Mumbai. "I am looking forward to seeing them in Mumbai. Hopefully, they come in large numbers and support us. As I said before, we need our 12th man this season. But we also need to deliver for them, so we will make sure to fight and work very hard," he concluded.
Where to Watch
The game will kick off at 5:00 pm IST on Saturday, 21 December, 2024 and will be broadcast on Sports 18 and Jio Cinema. For our global fans, you can find your broadcaster at www.indiansuperleague.com/broadcasters or follow all the action LIVE on our official Twitter account - @MumbaiCityFC
