Mumbai: Confident after a heroic 4-3 win over FC Goa despite going 2-1 behind at half-time, Mumbai City will look to carry the momentum forward when they host Jamshedpur FC on Thursday.
Wins have however been hard to come by for Alexandre Guimarães’ boys at the Mumbai Football Arena. With three defeats in six home matches, two of which were consecutive losses against Kerala Blasters and Bengaluru FC before the away win against Goa, means the fortress have long been destroyed.
Guimarães however is aware that his side does not have the liberty of dropping points in their own background at this stage of the league. “We cannot lose and not even think of drawing. We have realised with the players what our wrongdoings were in those games. So I hope that tomorrow we can get this situation clear and our first task is to win,” said the Costa Rican tactician.
After 12 matches Mumbai are on sixth with 17 points, two less than Jamshedpur who are a notch above on fifth after 13 games. A win here can take either sides to fourth displacing Goa, who would have played two games less.
But it would not be easy for any. “This one of the tough matches,” said the Mumbai City gaffer. While Jamshedpur coach Steve Coppell opined that although “not a do-or-die, it is almost a do-or-die. There is lots to play for.”
It was a cracking battle when the two last squared-off in Jamshedpur. But although that night ended it a 2-2 thriller, this game will have more hunger from both sides agreed Coppell.
“The prize is worth winning tomorrow and both sides will be very much trying to win,” said the former Manchester City head.
Mumbai however could have an added advantage especially after their nerving 4-3 win over Goa, but Coppell assured that his boys will leave not leave an inch-gap to carry on their own momentum. They defeated ATK 1-0 in the last and will eye their second victory in three successive matches on the road.