Mumbai City FC will have to do without goalkeeper Subrata Paul as they take on FC Pune City in the Maharashtra derby in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Balewadi Stadium in Pune on Monday
Mumbai City FC will have to do without goalkeeper Subrata Paul as they take on FC Pune City in the Maharashtra derby in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Balewadi Stadium in Pune on Monday.
With national players of the Indian side leaving the country to play India's 2018 World Cup qualifying round game against Turkmenistan on October 8 at Ashgabat, the India No. 1 will miss the first three games for the Mumbai side.
His absence leaves player-cum-manager Nicolas Anelka with a selection headache right at the start as Mumbai is the only franchise without a foreign goalkeeper. The Frenchman will now have to choose between Debjit Majumder, who excelled for Mohun Bagan in the I-League title-triumph and young Salgaocar FC goalkeeper Albino Gomes.
The match will also see the visitors miss the services of Indian striker Sunil Chettri. Midfielder Lalchhuanmawia Fanai makes it three absentees for the Mumbai side. Looking to make the most of Chettri's absence will be Haitian striker Sony Norde who is well versed in Indian conditions after playing for reigning I-League champions Mohun Bagan last year.
On the other hand, the David Platt managed side will miss the services of defender Pritam Kotal, midfielders Eugeneson Lyngdoh and Bikash Jairu and striker Jackichand Singh. The hosts have a comparatively stronger team to last season with the likes of Romanian striker Adrian Mutu and veteran Ivory Coast international Didier Zokora in their ranks besides also signing promising Indians like Eugeneson Lyngdoh and Jackichand Singh.I
Past meetings
Oct 18: Mumbai City FC 5 bt FC Pune City 0
Dec 3: FC Pune City 2 bt Mumbai City FC 0
Today's action
FC Pune City vs Mumbai City FC
Venue: Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium, Pune
Live pm: Star Sports 2 & 3 at 7:00 pm
Watch out for
Andre Moritz
With Sunil Chettri being called up by the national side, the attacking onus will be on the Brazillian midfielder to deliver the goals. Having scored a hat-trick against Pune City, the only one seen in the ISL last season, Moritz will be eyeing a repeat performance
Adrian Mutu
He may be 36, but the Romanian striker will look to use his experience of playing in England and Italy to his advantage as he begins his ISL campaign. Known for his hold-up play to initiate attacks, Pune's midfielders will look to feed off his passes
Key Contest
Gouramangi Singh vs Nicolas Anelka
Singh is widely regarded as one of the best central defenders in the country. Having played a crucial role in Chennaiyin FC's run to the semis last season, the 29-year-old will look to use his tall and tough built to get the better Nicolas Anelka. Despite being the manager of the side as well, the French striker will be raring to go in the Mumbai City FC attack having scored just two goals last season
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