Mumbai City FC, ATK FC look to consolidate a top-four spot of ISL

Mumbai: Mumbai City FC will be on the lookout for their second home win of the Indian Super League (ISL) season when they take on ATK FC at the Mumbai Football Arena here on Saturday.

After a stuttering start to the season, Mumbai City has found their mojo and is on a six-match unbeaten run having won their last three matches. The surge in form has seen them rise to fourth on the points table. Three points against ATK will see them leapfrog the second-placed team.

"It's not the first time we are playing against them. Yes, it's true that it's different when the opponent team has a different system. Also, they don't play all the games with three at the back, sometimes they play with four. So, we must be prepared for both situations and we are," said coach Jorge Costa.

However, they will have to find a way to stop a free-scoring ATK attack. Though Mumbai's defense has shown improvement conceding just one goal from open play in three games, muzzling the likes of Roy Krishna and David Williams won't be easy.

They will also have to do it without Paulo Machado who has been ruled out for the season. The Portuguese midfielder's authority has been vital to Jorge Costa's plans. Raynier Fernandes and Rowllin Borges will have to step up in Machado's absence.

"Machado is a fantastic player. It is good for football that he plays. As a coach, it's not good for me to see an opposition player injured. But we will be missing Agus, who is very important to us. I think this balances it out," said ATK coach Antonio Habas. IANS

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