After falling one step short of the final in the last edition of Indian Super League, Mumbai City FC coach Alexandre Guimaraes reiterates that the players draft held last month has cast a mountain of challenges upon the clubs. The Mumbai outfit faced a close defeat at the hands of eventual champions Atletico de Kolkata (ATK) in the two-leg semi-final.
“In the ISL, there are different sets of challenges because you have a new squad every season and have to start building from square one. This season will be more competitive so the biggest challenge will be to repeat last year’s success or better it,” says the coach.
Mumbai City FC were in blistering form in 2016 season finishing on top of the league table with 23 points in 14 games and qualifying for the semi-final for the first time. The Ranbir Kapoor co-owned club has signed 13 new Indian players and it will be an uphill task for the coach to recreate the magic from last season. With a longer season than before and the addition of two new teams, the former Costa Rica coach has different strategies coming in to the new season. “With the change in format and addition of teams this season, I will have a different approach compared to last season with more stress on different training routines,” he reveals.
The club has had a history of signing the big bulls of international football namely former Arsenal players, Nicolas Anelka and Freddie Ljungberg. But none had the mettle to flourish at hitherto unknown conditions. The Mumbai franchise also signed 2010 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball winner Diego Forlan as their marquee signing for an ISL record-breaking deal in 2016 and it worked for them.
The city-based franchise is yet to announce any big signing but Guimaraes isn’t banking on that. He wants to focus on young Indian players. “I’m looking forward to the Indian players standing out from the rest in the coming seasons,” announces Guimaraes, which comes as good news for the young guns of the club.
The squad has a deep pool of young talent in the likes of Pranjal Bhumij (18), Rakesh Oram (19), Sahil Tavora (21) and Abhinas Ruidas. The coach asserts the young players will be getting more playing time this season. “We have a few exciting prospects in the team and I’ll be looking forward to give them opportunities through the course of the season. I’m very happy with the new players, they’re a collective mix of talent and experience,” he says.
Guimaraes was retained as coach after a successful last season and he is excited to come back to the city again. “Coming back to Mumbai feels great, I cannot wait for the season to start. I love the city and the passion that the fans have for the sport.”
Mumbai City FC have now completed the signings of six foreign players with Leo Costa and Marcio Rosario’s arrival. This marks their fourth signing in the span of five days.
The Brazilians join Lucian Goian, Gerson Vieira, Everton Santos and Rafa Jorda as the overseas signings for Mumbai City so far for ISL 2017-18. The outfit has also signed fine Indian players that include Amrinder Singh, midfielder Sehnaj Singh and strong defender Mehrajuddin Wadoo. With this squad and the same coach, Mumbai City FC can repeat the 2016 heroics.
