Dermitzakis urges caution despite Punjab’s late winner, while Márquez calls for patience after the Islanders’ opening setback
New Delhi: Raphaël Messi Bouli’s stoppage-time heroics gave Punjab FC a winning start to their MG Indian Super League 2026-27 campaign. The Shers now face a different challenge on Monday, with Mumbai City FC arriving at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium determined to put their opening defeat behind them.
Bouli scored in the opening minute and again in added time of the second half to secure a 2-1 victory over Odisha FC, giving head coach Pavlos Dermitzakis three points in his first match in charge. The Greek coach, however, was quick to dismiss any suggestion that the result gave Punjab an advantage over the Islanders.
“There is no advantage for any team” at this stage of the season, Dermitzakis said, stressing that teams are still working to establish their identity. He also warned that Punjab must be cautious against a Mumbai side that lost 2-1 to Churchill Brothers SC. With three consecutive away league fixtures to follow, Punjab will want a positive result, though Dermitzakis acknowledged that limited recovery time has made preparation difficult.
Mumbai City, meanwhile, will seek a sharper performance after their defeat in Goa. Head coach Manolo Márquez maintained that a poor start does not define a season, saying: “It’s not how you start, it’s always how you finish the season.” The Islanders created early chances against Churchill but struggled to turn their possession into goals before conceding twice in the second half.
Defender Carlos Delgado believes the details could decide Monday’s contest. Having watched Punjab’s win over Odisha, he praised their attacking play and said Mumbai must stay compact, compete for second balls and win their duels. “The games will be equal, very tough for both,” he said, adding that the outcome could hinge on a small detail.
The sides also have a recent meeting to draw on. Mumbai City won 2-0 in New Delhi in May this year, with Valpuia and Vikram Partap Singh scoring late after Punjab were reduced to nine players. Monday’s rematch offers the Shers a chance to respond, while Mumbai will be looking to get their campaign back on track.
The match kicks off at 7:30 PM IST on Monday, October 19. It will be broadcast live on Sony Sports Network and streamed on Sony LIV, with free streaming available on YouTube.
