ISL 2015, Match 13: Mumbai City FC vs Chennaiyin FC

Mumbai City FC’s assistant coach Oscar Bruzon refused to elaborate as to why marquee player Nicolas Anelka hasn’t started a single game in the second edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) and has only made one substitute appearance so far. The team, playing their first home game at the DY Patil Stadium against Chennaiyin FC, came up with another uninspiring performance that once again exposed their defensive frailties. We have five games in a row here.

Mumbai City FC, with reinforcements from the national team, were looking for a reversal in fortunes as they took to their home turf on Friday.

With just few seconds into the first minute of play, Chennaiyin received their first booking when midfielder Thoi Singh stamped on Lalchummawia Fanai’s shoes to get a yellow card.

He also played down the absence of Andre Moritz from the squad.

“Anelka and Brandon (Fernandes) are sensible players that are not playing on the pitch”.

The closest Mumbai came to scoring was when L Fanai managed to find space on the left flank and delivered a cross for striker Frederic Piquionne, who flicked the ball wide of the target.

“There are (still) a couple of muscle injuries”. Sunil played 90 minutes only three days back. But we hope to change of the tendency of losing from Friday. “This team unfortunately, because of all these problems (international duty and injuries), is not being set up finally, all the positions are open”, he concluded.

Chennaiyin FC will be banking on Elano to provide the spark from the midfield as Jeje and Fikru as expected to lead the team’s attack from the front.

“Last year’s competition was different. It was a great win for us”, Materazzi said. We hope this phase will bring us victories.

The two troubled Indian Premier League franchises Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals can breathe easy as BCCI members may not push for their termination when the Working Committee meeting chaired by newly appointed President Shashank Manohar takes place in Mumbai on Sunday. Chennaiyin largely stuck with the same starting eleven that beat FC Goa 4-0, the only difference being the re-introduction of Alessandro Potenza in the back line after he was rested for the previous game.

Despite seeing more of the ball, Mumbai haven’t been incisive in their passing which has seen them only score one goal in three matches.