ISL 2017: "It will be a do-or-die game for Delhi," says Mumbai City FC coach Alexandre Guimarães
On Friday, Mumbai City FC will host Delhi Dynamos in the seventh round of ISL 2017. The capital outfit are currently at the bottom of the points table, 13 points behind leaders Chennaiyin and seven behind their opponents.
Having won just once in six attempts, there is no doubt that Delhi are in a crisis situation. Add to that, their manager, Miguel Ángel Portugal is suspended and will not be able to give instructions from the sidelines.
Post their loss against ATK at home, Mumbai returned with an away win against NorthEast United. The victory kept them in the thick of things and coach, Alexandre Guimarães reckons they cannot afford to take their opponents lightly on Friday.
"It will be a very tough game, it doesn't matter the kind of situation Delhi is in right now. We know that for us, it is important to try to win a second match in a row. For that, we have to play better," he said.
Further emphasising why his players need to be alert, Guimarães suggested that Friday's encounter in many ways is a do or die situation for Delhi. Failure to secure a result will mean they will be winless for six matches in a row. Since their opening day victory against Pune City, the Dynamos have failed to accumulate a single point.
"I know Delhi will fight very hard because if they lose, it's going to be a very difficult situation for them to recover. Knowing that, we have to play very seriously with focus, without underestimating nobody," Mumbai's coach stated.
Delhi Dynamos assistant coach, Shakti Chauhan reckons his side have no option but to register a result on Friday. He suggested that their problems lie in one particular area of the pitch.
"It's high time we need to win games, we have come here to win the match. The only thing not working is our finishing in the final third. The finishing is up to the mark and that is what we've been working on since the past few games," he explained.