Mumbai City FC’s indifferent start to the Hero Indian Super League season continued tonight as they fell to Chennaiyin FC 5-1 in Chennai. The result served to highlight the inconsistency that has plagued the Mumbai team, as they have gone from being outplayed by Atlético de Kolkata to lose 3-0, then putting in a thorough and complete display in a 5-0 home win over FC Pune City, to a spirited and fighting performance which nonetheless resulted in a 2-0 loss to NorthEast United FC. Their latest display saw the Chennaiyin attack, led by Brazilian playmaker and marquee player Elano, exploit a glaring weakness in the Mumbai defence to devastating effect.Head coach Peter Reid addressed the media in the post-match press conference and did not mince any words when discussing his team’s inability to deal with long balls over the top of the defence. “There were too many balls down the middle and they got on them and that is just poor defending,” bemoaned the former England international.Reid, who was a defensive midfielder himself in his playing days and represented several English clubs, most notably Bolton Wanderers and Everton, with distinction, refused to single out any of his players for criticism, asserting that it was a team responsibility to defend better. “We attack as a team and we defend as a team, so I’m not going to point out any fingers at individuals. I think that’s unfair,” he explained. “But as a team, as Mumbai City, we defended very poorly this evening.”“It was just balls down the middle. It’s not rocket science,” Reid lamented. “We just had to stay with the runners but we just didn’t do it,” he said, adding, “A lot of my players have had a bad evening so we need to improve.”Reid was nonetheless asked about individual players, with fullback Syed Rahim Nabi’s earlier-than-expected return from injury coming under scrutiny. But the Mumbai City manager assured those present that Nabi was not rushed back into the playing squad.“The medical staff said he was fit. Nabi, whom I admire as a person, also said so himself. He played and he kept going,” stated the Englishman. Indeed, in terms of his fitness, Nabi did not show signs of any lingering effects from his injury, lasting the full 90 minutes. He even scored his side’s only goal, with a late header from a corner, although this was scant consolation given that he and his teammates had a poor day at the office carrying out their usual defensive duties.A lone bright spot for Mumbai City was star French striker Nicolas Anelka making his first appearance, having missed the first three games. While he showed glimpses of his potential, Reid credited the Chennaiyin defence, along with player-manager Marco Materazzi, making his playing debut and occupying a midfield berth, for keeping Anelka subdued.“I think it was a difficult game for Nicolas because we were under pressure after conceding,” Reid mused. “They really defended well with (Bernard) Mendy at the back and (Marco) Materazzi in the midfield.” Reid was nevertheless happy that Anelka showed no signs of rust in terms of his match fitness. “Nicolas lasted the 90 minutes. It’s something he hasn’t done in a long time,” Reid said, though he warned that the former Arsenal, Real Madrid, and Liverpool striker could not be expected to solve all of Mumbai City’s problems. “One man doesn’t make the team. I really expected more from Mumbai City as a team.”Despite his obvious disappointment, Reid was gracious in defeat, giving Chennaiyin their due credit for an excellent performance. “Take nothing away from Chennai, they were brilliant. We were just poor on the night.”
