After a captivating first leg that saw Mumbai City FC edge past FC Goa with a late surge to secure a 3-2 victory, all eyes are now on the second leg of the ISL semi-final clash between these two powerhouses. With a spot in the final of ISL 2023-24 at stake, both teams are gearing up for what promises to be an enthralling encounter at the Mumbai Football Arena on Monday.

The first leg of this last-four match went right down the wire, with the Islanders claiming the bragging rights with three goals that they scored in the final six-odd minutes of the match. A brace by Lallianzuala Chhangte and a solitary strike by Vikram Partap Singh meant that they successfully overcame the 2-0 lead that the Gaurs had gotten, thanks to Boris Singh and Brandon Fernandes netting once each.

Current Form

• Mumbai City FC enters the second leg with confidence, having secured four victories in their last five games. The Islanders have been in formidable form, showcasing their attacking prowess by scoring 45 goals in 23 matches this season. With a strong defensive record and a winning momentum behind them, Mumbai City FC will be aiming to capitalise on their home advantage and secure a place in the final.
• FC Goa, despite falling short in the first leg, has shown resilience throughout the season. With a late surge in form, they finished third ( 45 pts) in the standings and displayed their attacking prowess by scoring consistently. FC Goa will be eager to bounce back from their first-leg defeat and make amends in the second leg. With their history of scoring at the Mumbai Football Arena, they pose a significant threat to Mumbai City FC's aspirations.

What’s at Stake

Mumbai City FC

• For Mumbai City FC, maintaining their dominance over FC Goa will be paramount. With an unbeaten streak against their opponents and a solid defensive record, the Islanders will be aiming to capitalise on their home form and secure a spot in the final.
• Mumbai City FC have not been defeated in their last 11 meetings against FC Goa, winning six times and drawing five matches. The Islanders have kept clean sheets in five of these games.
• They will be chasing a key landmark in this clash, with the team being three away (297) from becoming only the second team after FC Goa (346) to complete 300 goals in the ISL.
• A victory in this match would propel them closer to their quest for ISL glory.

FC Goa

• On the other hand, FC Goa will be determined to overturn their first-leg defeat and seize the opportunity to progress to the final.
• Marquez boasted of a seven-match-long unbeaten streak against Mumbai City FC, which was brought to an end by the aforementioned defeat in the first leg.
• They have been a formidable force on the road lately, netting in their last nine away matches. The last time they scored at least once in more such consecutive fixtures was a run of 11 matches from October 2016-January 2018.
• A win in this match would not only secure their place in the final but also validate their resilience and determination.

Key Players to Watch Out

Lallianzuala Chhangte (Mumbai City FC)

• Chhangte has been instrumental for Mumbai City FC, contributing nine goals and six assists this season.
• His attacking threat and ability to create scoring opportunities make him a key player for the Islanders. He has recorded 106 touches in the box of the opposition, completing 32 successful dribbles and key passes each, in addition to creating 38 goal-scoring opportunities.
• He has averaged 23 passes per game at 84% accuracy, winning 79 duels and making 80 recoveries.
• Chhangte will be crucial in unlocking the FC Goa defense and leading his team to victory.

Brandon Fernandes (FC Goa)

• Fernandes has been a creative force for FC Goa, providing three goals and four assists this season.
• His playmaking ability and vision make him a vital player for FC Goa's attacking setup. The attacking midfielder has averaged 31 passes per game at 78% accuracy, making 55 key passes, creating 59 goal-scoring chances, and winning 69 duels and 86 recoveries. He has completed 14 successful dribbles, and his form has most importantly picked up tremendously ahead of a delicate moment of the campaign.
• Fernandes will be tasked with orchestrating his team's attacks and breaking down the Mumbai City FC defence in the crucial second leg.

Read More

• https://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/expectations-are-the-hardest-part-for-a-new-coach-mumbai-city-fcs-petr-kratky

• https://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/we-played-a-very-good-game-tactically-fc-goas-manolo-marquez

Head-to-Head

Played – 25

Mumbai City FC – 11

FC Goa – 7

Draws – 7

Trivia: FC Goa’s Noah Sadaoui has won possession back in the final third in the current ISL season 30 times, the most often of all players.

Team Talk 

“I tell my boys on the bench that the way they come on the ground and make an impact is the most important thing. I’m very happy for my team and the boys, because they are very deserving of it,” Mumbai City FC head coach Petr Kratky explained.

“I think I can do better substitutions, not only in the last game but also in matches that we have won. We are now here in this part, but maybe this is a reason we love football, because of these kinds of situations,” FC Goa head coach Manolo Marquez said in the pre-match press conference.

ISL Fantasy

Noah Sadaoui (8.9cr)

Has recorded 112 ISL fantasy points this season.

Jay Gupta (3.5cr)

Has been picked by 36% of the ISL fantasy users

Lallianzuala Chhangte (8.5cr)

Bagged 10 ISL fantasy points in the first leg of the semi-final fixture.

If not registered already, fans can participate in the overall league or club-based leagues based on their preferences. Create private leagues, inviting friends and fellow football aficionados to compete. Prizes include a Sony PlayStation ®️ ️5 gaming console, EA Sports FC 24, signed club merchandise, and a Gift Card worth INR 20,000, which will be awarded to 100 winners at the end of the season. Sign up at: https://fantasy.indiansuperleague.com/

Where to Watch

Fans across the country can catch the action in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Malayalam. Fans can watch the action on linear channels like Sports18 Khel (Hindi), Sports18 1 HD (English), Sports18 3 SD (English, Hindi, Malayalam and Bengali), VH1 SD & HD (English), Surya Movies (Malayalam), News 18 Kerala (Malayalam – select matches) & DD Bangla (Bengali). Fans can also catch the action streaming Live for free on JioCinema, the home of Indian football. In addition to this, as part of FSDL’s partnership with OneFootball, ISL live streams and highlights of all matches of the upcoming 2023-24 season will be delivered across more than 190 countries.