ISL 2017 – COACH CONTROL: Mumbai City FC – Guimaraes on-track to continue the good run

A GREAT WAVE of change in the right places in the squad and coaching staff was the reason, Mumbai City FC finished top of the league last season. Diego Forlan, their marquee player, last season along with Goian at the back and other important players like Defederico and Costa, helped the team form a strong side in all departments.

The strong squad and well-worked strategies by Guimaraes, got the best out of the squad depth even when star names like Chhetri weren’t firing at their best. Guimaraes played Goian as a sweeper back, a yard or two behind the defence line. This strategy being a bit on the riskier side leaving the defence vulnerable to opposition beating the offside trap. It worked perfectly for MCFC and they finished comfortably leading the league table. The playoffs stage was not the most memorable as they failed to reach the finals.

There have been a few changes in the upcoming edition of the ISL, with the marquee player rule being taken away and reduction in the number of foreigner players. The over-dependence of teams on overseas players will take a hit and will have to re-work their strategies considering the core Indian players. But for coaches like Guimaraes, it gives an upper hand having retained most of the core foreign players. With Guimarares continuing as head coach and having retained most of the foreigners, Mumbai City FC look very likely to continue the same run as last season.

TFG NEWSLETTER

Get the latest in the world of Sports, Teams, and Players! Free Delivery to your Inbox.