FC Goa vs Mumbai City LIVE: Manolo Marquez, Petr Kratky name attacking lineups

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PREVIEW

FC Goa host Mumbai City FC in the first leg of their 2023-24 Indian Super League (ISL) semifinal at the Fatorda on Wednesday, April 24, 7:30 PM. Manolo Marquez’s side beat Chennaiyin FC 2-1 in the playoffs to reach the semifinal, while Mumbai City made it directly on account of their second-placed finish in the league.

It’s an interesting contest on account of both these sides being in contention for the League Shield for long stretches of the season, Mumbai losing out on the final day to Mohun Bagan Super Giant, while Goa lead the title race for a long time before floundering towards the end of the season.

Mumbai have the overall advantage when it comes to their H2H record, with 10 wins and 7 draws from 24 games, Goa winning seven themselves (none of which have come in the last ten games). However, the last two times these two sides met have resulted in draws – a 0-0 at the Fatorda in Petr Kratky’s first game in charge of Mumbai, while a 1-1 draw was the result in the Mumbai Football Arena in February.

Noah Sadaoui will unquestionably be the key player for Goa, alongside Brandon Fernandes pulling strings (or maybe scoring world-class goals). As for Mumbai, much will rest on their frontline, with Vikram Partap Singh returning from suspension, alongside Jorge Pereyra Diaz and Lallianzuala Chhangte.

What the managers said:

Manolo Marquez, FC Goa head coach: “If you miss a good chance, it’s okay, keep going. If you score a goal, you need to keep going, in a playoffs scenario. Usually, the team that’s mentally stronger qualifies for the final.”

Petr Kratky, Mumbai City FC head coach: “It’s a semi-final and the completion is slightly different from the league stages. We have two games and we have to be really ready from the start. I am happy because boys are positive to bounce back.”