The Indian Super League (ISL) 2018-19 season's first Maha Derby has plenty at stake with both the teams – Mumbai City FC and FC Pune – chasing their respective first wins. Besides, there is local pride and bragging rights to be earned.
With a loss and a draw in the first two outings, a struggling Mumbai will be eyeing to record their first win against Pune in four meetings when the two local rivals meet at Mumbai Football Arena on Friday.
Pune's last league win came in this same fixture last season. Pune had won the home tie 1-0 before beating Mumbai 2-0 in the return leg.
Mumbai have started the season in an unimpressive fashion – with a 2-0 loss at home to Jamshedpur FC, followed by an away 1-1 draw against Kerala Blasters.
So the 'Islanders', coached by Jorge Costa, are expected to come out Friday with all guns blazing.
Mumbai will have to improve in all areas, particularly in defence, as they have conceded three goals in the two games so far.
Mumbai boast of some of the best players in the League – Paulo Machado (Portugal), Senegal's Modou Sougou, striker Rafael Bastos (Brazil) and Subhashish Bose.
If Sougou and Bastos play to their potential, they can pose a threat to any side and Pune will be no exception.
Mumbai have strengthened their defence with Bose, but that area still remains a concern.
They also have Romanian Lucian Goian, Arnold Issoko (Congo), Souvik Ghosh and Anwar Ali to protect the citadel.
All of them will have to buckle up against a strong Pune attack.
The hosts also missed several opportunities to score in the first two games, and this is another area of concern for the team management.
The coveted ISL crown has eluded Mumbai for the past four seasons and a win will surely boost the side's confidence going deeper into the tournament.
Also, all eyes will be on Amrinder Singh, whose role in keeping a clean sheet will be crucial for Mumbai.
Conceding that the results so far have not been as what they wanted, Costa said the team will put up a better show on Friday.
"We are working good and hoping that tomorrow we do better than the first (home) game and hoping also that we can get three points," said Costa on the eve of the match.
"I am happy with the team, with the players. It is true that we are building a new team, but this cannot be an excuse, we are working hard working hard and Im sure tomorrow we will do much better," he added.
He also termed the clash against Pune as difficult.
"Pune is a very good team, they have almost the same team as last season. They are a very good team and have a very good coach. They have played only one game (so far). It will be a difficult game for us," the coach said.
The coach also informed that Matias Mirabaje will be out of tomorrow's game.
On the other hand, Pune, who managed to eke out a 1-1 draw against Delhi Dynamos, will also be targeting their first win of the season.
Pune's coach Miguel Angel Portugal said he was aware of Mumbai's problems.
"Its the second match for us. I know that they (Mumbai) lost their first match here against Jamshedpur but against Kerala Blasters, Mumbai played well. Against Jamshedpur they played in the first half. But I know what's the problem with Mumbai and well try to win," said Portugal.
The Pune coach also praised Mumbai's defender Lucian Goian but sounded upbeat about his team's chances.
Pune also possess a string of good strikers, along with mid-fielders and defender, and will surely pose a threat to Mumbai in their own backyard.
The kick-off is at 7.30 pm.
(With PTI inputs)
