ISL 2017: 5 reasons why Mumbai City FC can win the title

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Mumbai City FC players pose for a group photo during a pre-season friendly (Pic Courtesy: Mumbai City FC)

After unimpressive results in the first two Indian Super League (ISL) seasons, Mumbai City FC finally came to the party in the 2016 edition, qualifying for the playoffs for the very first time. They did lose to eventual champions, ATK in the two-legged play-off tie, but by topping and dominating the league stage, the Ranbir Kapoor-owned side did win a lot of hearts.

This time Mumbai City FC will be without some serious high quality footballers like Diego Forlan, Sunil Chhetri and Sony Norde, but their replacements might do just enough to land the ISL crown.

Here are the reasons which make Mumbai City FC a title contender for the upcoming ISL 2017 season:

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#1 Alexandre Guimaraes’ presence

Alexandre Guimaraes (Pic Courtesy: Mumbai City FC)

While most of the ISL sides parted ways with their head coaches, Guimaraes was retained by the Mumbai City FC management, a decision which was obvious after the Costa Rican’s exploits in 2016. His attacking yet conservative style of football brought about results and he is surely the right man who can take the squad one step ahead this time around.

Unlike the newly recruited head coaches, Guimaraes has already got a hang of this league and it shouldn’t take him much time to get this squad settled. He is a no-nonsense guy but at the same time doesn’t put the blame of a defeat on his squad.

“I am responsible for the loss, the players gave their best and I will derive satisfaction from the fact that we topped the league stage,” Guimaraes had said after his side was eliminated by ATK, last year. This attitude is infectious and vital for a squad to be successful.

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