Goa: The final match of the Indian Super League’s (ISL) group stage will also decide which team finishes on top of the points table as top-ranked ATK Mohun Bagan clash with second-placed Mumbai City at the GMC Stadium on Sunday.
Mumbai (37 points) need nothing less than a win while a draw would suffice for Bagan (40 points) as they chase the League Winners’ Shield and a spot in the 2022 AFC Champions League. A win is worth three points.
Mumbai has bounced back after a poor run of form in their last match against Odisha FC with a thumping 6-1. They would be missing the services of Hugo Boumous due to suspension and coach Sergio Lobera would be dependent on Adam Le Fondre and Bartholomew Ogbeche for goals.
In the pre-match press conference, Lobera said, “The first leg was another game (where) we won three points but tomorrow is a final. We need to play to win and we need to manage this situation well. It’s not like the games we played before because it’s not about just the three points, but to win a final.”
He further added, “They have a very good defense but not only (that), but also a good balance between attack and defense. For us, it’s important to be loyal to our style of play and show passion in some moments during the game because it’s not easy to find spaces and have a lot of chances against them.”
On the other hand, ATKMB will go for a victory against their bitter rival, a certain draw would help them to get hold of the shield but Antonio Lopez Habas has been determined to win the match and qualify for the Champions League.
Roy Krishna has been in a red hot form with 14 goals and certainly can win the golden boot this season. He will be the key man in Habas’s side and even Manvir Singh will be determined to face and challenge his former coach from FC Goa.
In the pre-match press conference, Habas said, “We have to be prepared to win, not to draw.” He added, “It’s a historic moment (if we qualify) but we have to play the match like another match. We play for three points. We have to be concentrated because we play a rival that is very difficult in attack.”
