Hyderabad FC will tackle the Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) on the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Saturday, as the Mariners return to the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 motion after taking part in their final match within the competitors a month in the past towards Jamshedpur FC.
In between, the Juan Ferrando-coached facet confronted two defeats within the AFC Cup, towards Basundhara Kings and Odisha FC respectively. It is the loss towards the Juggernauts, by 5-2, which might have raised severe questions, provided that the unbelievable high quality coming by way of their ranks arguably doesn’t justify the scoreline.
However, Ferrando can take solace from the truth that he has the requisite gamers at his disposal to spark a turnaround, they usually maybe have the proper alternative to take action towards a Hyderabad FC unit that’s but to see success this season.
The facet has drawn thrice and misplaced 4 video games in seven encounters, however they need to have a look at this as a window of alternative towards a strongly constructed Mohun Bagan Super Giant setup embroiled in the course of overcoming successive setbacks.
What’s at stake?
Mohun Bagan Super Giant
There are few issues as harmful as a wounded tiger. The Mariners wouldn’t have taken the loss inflicted by Odisha FC on them of their dwelling turf frivolously and one might be relaxation assured that they’ve the mandatory expertise amongst their ranks to make up for their defeats on the continental stage within the final two video games. It is an assembled squad of extremely profitable people, who shall be eager to get their season again on monitor to march on the race for the highest spot within the league.
To be truthful, they haven’t faltered on that entrance, profitable all 4 of their ISL video games up to now. The Mariners are scoring over 2 objectives per recreation on a mean on this marketing campaign, which is the best price amongst all groups. They have additionally conceded merely 4 instances in all these matches up to now. On paper, they need to fancy their probabilities towards a struggling Hyderabad FC unit however soccer is received on the sector they usually have to be on high of their recreation in Bhubaneswar.
Hyderabad FC
“Offensively, I think today we are talking about creating chances. We did create chances today too, like in the previous games. It’s just the same thing. It’s a repetition of putting the ball in the net, (and being) more clinical. I think the players are trying their best, and that is the good part. But we are still missing the goals,” Hyderabad FC head coach Thangboi Singto had mentioned after they misplaced 1-0 to Kerala Blasters FC in Kochi final week.
The genesis of all issues for Hyderabad FC is their lack of ability to place balls into the again of the opposition’s internet. They must work steadfastly to seek out options, particularly contemplating that the likes of Joe Knowles, Mohammad Yasir, Petteri Pennanen amongst others have all proven shades of particular person brilliance at some stage in the season. For these efforts to come back collectively and unravel collectively on the pitch is one thing that should occur shortly for Singto to get some momentum underway on this marketing campaign.
Key Players
Armando Sadiku (Mohun Bagan Super Giant)
The Albanian striker has netted as soon as every within the ISL and the AFC Cup thus far, however his sharpness and eye for a strike can’t be spoken sufficient of. The 32-yr-outdated might be main the frontline or play in a two-striker setup, however his good actions usually trigger troubles for the opposition’s backline.
He can draw defenders in the direction of him by dropping again on the sector and even shunt out extensive and put out deliveries contained in the field by creating extra space down the center. Sadiku is a menace within the air too, and these traits make him an all-spherical package deal that Hyderabad FC have to be ready to neutralise within the coming contest.
Mohammad Yasir (Hyderabad FC)
The 25-yr-outdated attacking midfielder is the road connecting the Hyderabad FC assault to their gamers within the centre of the park. The workforce requires his companies now greater than ever as they vehemently search for solutions for their objective-scoring issues.
Yasir is somebody who can function in tight areas, ship defence-splitting passes, and even knock a objective or two together with his consciousness in entrance of the online. Hyderabad FC wants him to be concerned on the ball and that too in superior positions for a better period in order that probabilities preserve coming their approach persistently throughout this faceoff towards a Mohun Bagan Super Giant unit that shall be raring to strike again.
Head-to-Head
Played – 10
Mohun Bagan Super Giant – 3
Hyderabad FC – 2
Draws – 5
Trivia: Hyderabad FC have scored the joint least (4, identical as Jamshedpur FC) objectives amongst all groups this season.
Team Talk
“We are professionals. Our way is to look forward, work, and get the next three points. We are very disappointed and upset, but I think the most important thing for us at this moment is to play well against Hyderabad FC and get the victory,” Mohun Bagan Super Giant head coach Juan Ferrando quipped on the aforementioned loss towards Odisha FC and put the concentrate on the conflict towards Hyderabad FC within the pre-match press convention.
“We are still very positive in the sense that whatever we have to do as a team, staff, and coaches, we are doing that. The only thing is about the result, but in terms of hard work and performances, everything is on what we expect. Speaking about Mohun Bagan, I think it is a team of stars, but I watched their match against Odisha FC, and I think it’s a good time to play them. They have very good players, both starting and on the bench too,” Hyderabad FC tactician Thangboi Singto mentioned previous to the sport.
