Mumbai: Mumbai City FC will not take anything for granted in their Hero Indian Super League football clash against struggling Atletico de Kolkata here tomorrow. Mumbai City FC have turned their fortunes around with three victories in a row after struggling to win any of their first three matches. The string of victories have put them in contention for a place in the semifinal and they now meet defending champions Atletico de Kolkata, who are struggling, having lost their last three matches, including one at home against Delhi Dynamos.
“I am very pleased with the team right now. We had a difficult start but the team has responded well. I am pleased,” said Mumbai City marquee-player-cum manager Nicolas Anelka during the pre-match media briefing. “We are playing at home and we will play to win. It’s a different game and we go on the pitch knowing we have the home advantage. Of course, we want to win but we are playing a good team tomorrow. We have to try our best,” said the former Real Madrid striker, who has restricted himself to a managerial role this season having only played three matches as a substitute.
Sunil Chhetri has been Mumbai City’s star performer with a hat-trick in the last game against NorthEast United FC and six goals in three matches. Anelka was pleased with the India captain’s performance and hoped he would continue with his rich scoring form.
“I am happy with him. He is scoring. He is a big player for us. Good player, very pleased with him,” said Anelka. Atletico de Kolkata are not in the best of form and have only seven points to their account from six matches. They are placed sixth on the table and will have to start winning if they are to finish among the top four.
“Every match is a knock out for us. Mumbai City is a good side and we are trying to overcome Mumbai,” said ATK assistant coach Bastab Roy. Roy said ATK’s string of disappointing results have come as a setback but were not uncommon in the world of football. “It’s not a difficult task. It happens. We will come back,” he said, confirming the availability of midfielders Javi Lara and Jewel Raja, both of whom had previously missed matches due to injury.
