Mumbai City FC will be aiming to extend their unbeaten record on the road this Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) season when they travel to face Bengaluru FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Sunday. The Islanders haven’t faced defeat in the five matches they have played away from home this season and can set a new personal record if they manage to come away from Bengaluru with a point or three.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Mumbai head coach, Jorge Costa reflected on his side’s impressive performances against the Blues last season, wherein they earned four points from a possible six. “Last season we played a good game against Bengaluru. We were down to 10 players but had prepared well. This season our team is much different to last season. What I am waiting for is to have a good game. We will fight for the three points. That is our target.”

Continuing on the same note, the Portuguese maintained, “I’m looking forward to win the three points. It’s true that in the last few games we didn’t lose, but we didn’t win either. But we performed well enough to win the game. So, we need to continue this against Bengaluru. Play well and with quality. We respect all the teams and for sure we respect Bengaluru. But what we want is to make our game, to fight, to play with quality and do our best to win the three points.”

The 48-year-old also felt that his side will have to be prepared for the entire Bengaluru side and not just their attack. “I don’t see football like this (Bengaluru’s attack vs Mumbai’s defence). Bengaluru have a good attack, it’s true, but I don’t see the game like that. What I see is that Bengaluru have a very good team and they will play against our team. This is how I see football. One team against another team. We know what they can do and we know what we must do. That’s why I am saying that we are here to fight for the three points.”

Sharing his opinion on what makes a good leader, Costa voiced, “If you have all the things that are there, this is something that you don’t teach. This is something that you don’t learn. You are born like this or you are not born like this. In my team, I can tell I have some players that we can consider as leaders.”

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Ravi Kumar who had attended the media briefing along with Costa, felt his team were well prepared to face Bengaluru. “We are better prepared this time compared to the last few matches. In those matches as well, we gave our 100%. But we are much better prepared for Bengaluru. I hope we will get the three points.”

“We concede not just because of the defence. We win as a team and lose as a team. Small mistakes often lead to goals. We are giving 100% on the ground. We are focusing much more in training. We are united and are a family,” added the 26-year-old.

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