Buoyant Mumbai City face in-form NorthEast United

After an away win in Pune on Monday, buoyant Mumbai City FC will clash against in-form NorthEast United in the Indian Super League match here on Friday. It will the first home game of the season for the Ranbir Kapoor co-owned side and their first ever at the Mumbai Football Arena. DY Patil Stadium was their home ground in the previous two seasons.

The visitors have notched up impressive wins over Kerala Blasters and FC Goa in their first two encounters but will be playing their third game inside a week which will test their physical and mental strength. NE United’s Portuguese coach Nilo Vingada has ruled out too many changes to the XI despite the fatigue factor coming in very early in the tournament.

“It is tough but we will make life hard for Mumbai City. I don’t usually like to make too many changes. We have one injury and may be we can make a couple of changes. I know the organisers have tough job at hand to schedule matches in less time but Dynamos are playing their first game today and we have to play our third game tomorrow. It is tough but we can’t have any excuses,” Vinga-da pointed out.

But the visitors look a settled side after two games in comparison to their opponents who were completely outplayed in the first half-hour by FC Pune City. They survived the initial barrage of attacks and it took a moment of brilliance from Diego Forlan to assist Matías Defederico smartly who was ready to find the winner.