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Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18’s first ‘Maharashtra Derby’ takes place on Wednesday at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium in Pune, where FC Pune City gear up to host Mumbai City FC. After losing out in their opening fixtures, the Stallions came up with an emphatic 4-1 win over defending champions ATK in their last match, while the Islanders edged FC Goa 2-1 at home.
Head to Head
FC Pune City 3 – 2 Mumbai City FC. 1 draw.
KEY PLAYERS
Marcelinho (FC Pune City)
The Brazilian was on fire in the match against Kolkata. He bagged a brace and assisted the other two goals as he tore apart a hapless ATK defence. There wasn’t a player on the pitch who could keep up with his pace as he again rekindled the class that earned him the Golden Boot in Hero ISL 2016. Marcelinho will once again look to be at his prolific best against Mumbai City FC.
Everton Santos (Mumbai City FC)
Another Brazilian, the pacey attacker was at his best against FC Goa and came up with a goal that was more due to his determination than Goa custodian Laxmikant Kattimani’s mistake. A threat throughout the game, Santos kept the defenders on their toes at all times, and will look to string in another dominant display against a solid Pune side.
POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS
FC Pune City
Pune head coach Ranko Popovic is likely to use his preferred 3-4-3 formation, wanting the flanks to be optimised to the fullest while keeping up with the attacks.
Goalkeeper: Kamaljit Singh
Defenders: Gurtej Singh, Rafael Lopez, Adil Khan
Midfielders: Lalchhuanmawia Fanai, Marcos Tebar, Jonatan Lucca, Sarthak Golui
Forwards: Marcelo Pereira, Emiliano Alfaro, Kean Lewis
Popovic on his thoughts about the ‘Maha Derby’: “It will be a different emotion, different feeling. There will be more passion. You want to be better than everyone in this region and this area. But for us, three points are important. We are here to reach something and for that we have to try to play well.”
Mumbai City FC
Mumbai head coach Alexandre Guimaraes will probably stick to his attack-minded 4-2-3-1 formation and take the game to the hosts.
Goalkeeper: Amrinder Singh
Defenders: Raju Gaikwad, Lucian Goian, Gerson Vieira, Aiborlang Khongjee
Midfielders: Sanju Pradhan, Sehnaj Singh, Abinash Ruidas, Everton Santos, Achille Emana,
Forwards: Balwant Singh
Guimaraes on his opponent’s greatest strength: “One thing that they (FC Pune City) have done really well is that they have been very precise when they had the chances. When you have this situation, you have to try to not make mistakes, because they can punish you. They have tough and good players in front, and we know that we cannot give them an inch.”
KEY STATS
FC Pune City succumbed to the second heaviest margin of defeat in the league’s history when the sides met for the first time in Mumbai in the inaugural season. Mumbai won 5-0.
FC Pune City have kept three clean sheets against Mumbai City FC in the Hero ISL. Against no other opponent have they kept more.
The away team emerged victorious in both the encounters between the teams in Hero ISL 2016.
LAST MEETING
FC Pune City 1 – 0 Mumbai City FC (10th November 2016 at the Mumbai Football Arena)
