Amine Chermiti scored a brace as Mumbai City FC had to settle for a point against NorthEast United in what was a rather grander effort from the team. A game majorly marred by defensive errors had sumptuous moments of its own, and Mumbai managed to get over the ghost of their past by putting in a strong display against a team which is still undefeated in the tournament.
Coming into the game with the stats in favour, manager Jorge Mendes welcomed back Rowllin Borges, who missed the last two fixtures due to injury, into the team. And his induction prompt the Portuguese to move to a 4-3-3 approach rather than his usual 4-2-3-1.
To say Mumbai, who arrived on the back of a superior head to figure, could have avoided the two goals they conceded would be an understatement to make. First up, it was Souvik Chakraborty’s error which led to the home side scoring the opener. And then it was Paulo Machado’s leniency which allowed Asamoah Gyan to score their second.
Midfielders the key for Costa
Costa’s men were extensively ruthless in the open-play and Chermiti’s opening strike is the perfect example of it. They sustained their attacking prowess even in the second period and were arguably more likely to score. And all this was allowed by Rowllin Borges’ presence. Borges, who helped Mumbai getting two consecutive clean sheets in the first two games, made his presence felt in the most dominant way possible.
Wonderful one-touch football by @MumbaiCityFC! 👌
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) November 27, 2019
Watch #NEUMCFC LIVE on @hotstartweets - https://t.co/GAyLUNlLDG and JioTV. #ISLMoments #HeroISL #LetsFootball #TrueLove pic.twitter.com/V8wBZnJmgK
Always on the top of his game, Borges ended his game with most touches (77) and most passes (56). How dearly did they miss him against Odisha FC and FC Goa.
He even made six tackles (most by any player) and five-interception (second-most). The midfielder was always available for a pass and his immaculate reading always kept him away from his man.
Machado, on the other hand, created six chances in the game (most) and always managed to get into spaces. Not to forget how his set-pieces pose a significant threat. It was his ball, after all, which Chermiti finished off with the overhead kick. Unleashing the former Olympiacos midfielder, who took care of most of the defensive duties against Odisha and Goa, was indeed a masterstroke, but that was only made possible because Borges sat deep.
Mumbai created loads of opportunities and most of it came down the left-flank. The team, in fact, played 62% of attacking game on the left compared to NorthEast’s 44%. They even had seven crossed from that area, while NorthEast had just three.
Mohamed Larbi, whose performance went under Borges and Machado’s shadow, did his job to mere perfection. It was, in fact, his pass which released Modou Sougou down the right flank, who then laid up Chermiti towards the equalizer.
Larbi, who was instilled in a rather free role, created another great chance when he found Diego Carlos free in the centre with a cut-back. The Brazilian, though, failed to make the most out of the opportunity. Such was the trio’s dominance that Mumbai completed 317 passes with an accuracy of 71.23%, while the home team had only completed 186 passes with an accuracy of 62%.
Mumbai did make defensive blunders, yes, but their midfielders put on a strong statement to underline what lies in store next.
Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @IndSuperLeague
