Atletico de Kolkata will face Mumbai City FC at home in the Hero ISL season 3 first-leg semi-finals on Saturday. Image Source: XtraTime[/caption]Internet Desk: Hosts Atletico de Kolkata will face a tough challenge from Mumbai City FC when they meet them during the semi-final first leg at Rabindra Sarobar Stadium on Saturday. Mumbai City FC has been a role with their attacking brand of football. The side under new coach Alexandre Guimaraes’ has secured 23 points to head the points table at group stages. Atletico de Kolkata,according to their Spanish head coach Jose Molina, have done what they set out to do in reaching the playoffs. But it would be incorrect to say that the former champions did it in style.
Atletico played out eight draws out of their 14 league outings, winning only once at the Rabindra Sarovar Stadium. One would doubt how Molina’s strategy would work against Mumbai who boast of an envious attacking line comprising Diego Forlan, Sunil Chhetri, Sony Norde and Argentine Matias Defederico. Presumably it won't be smooth sailing for the hosts.
For Mumbai City FC, this will be their first tryst with the knockout stages but the Ranbir Kapoor co-owned franchise won the heart of football pundits by playing some attractive football. Much of the credit should go to Diego Forlan, who has been a towering experience for Mumbai City FC this season.
The highest paid marquee player had a sedate start to his ISL journey, punctuated by injuries. But to the relief of Mumbai, the 2010 World Cup Golden Ball winner peaked at the right time, the treble being the crowning moment.
Forlan, in fact, was the difference between ATK and Mumbai here with his second half strike, earning the away side three points and inflicting ATK's only defeat in their own lair.
Besides the top half, Mumbai have a solid backline also led by Romanian Lucian Goian who has been one of ISL's best centre-backs.
It will take some doing for the likes of marquee player Helder Postiga, Iain Hume or Juan Belencoso, whoever gets the nod, to break down this defence which also has full-back Lalhmangaihsanga Ralte in fine fettle.
Molina has to choose between Belencoso or Hume with Postiga and by the look of things, the Canadian Hume might get the nod of his profligate Spaniard who spurned four easy chances in their last league game against FC Pune City.
ATK's strength has been on the flanks with the likes of South African Sameehg Doutie, Spaniard Javi Lara and local boy Abhinash Ruidas excelling. Lara has been particularly good this season both wide and playing just behind the striker.
Molina might go with Stephen Pearson and Borja Fernandez in midfield with the former getting the free role to move up front and sneak in the goalscoring areas like he has been doing so well this term.
The defence has been ATK's bane and against a top quality Mumbai attack that can be a cause of worry.
ATK will hope last year's fate does not come back to haunt them where Chennaiyin FC knocked the stuffin out of them with a 3-0 first leg win from which, even after a 2-1 second leg win, they failed to reach the final.
Overall, the first leg will be an indication of what needs to be done and ATK will want to take a win with them to Mumbai although their home record hasn't been great.
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