Lobera during the preseason press meeting had advocated for the offensive style of soccer, but said the team needed to find a balance between attack and defense. Mumbai has two good forwards, Bartholomew Ogbeche and Adam Le Fondre, who can be more than difficult for any opponent. The team has recruited utility midfielders such as Ahmed Jahouh, England-born Cy Goddard of Japan and their roles as feeders will be important in the broader context of the game.
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Lobera has multiple options in Farukh Choudhary, Hugo Boumous, Hernan Santana, Raynier Fernandes, Rowllin Borges and Pranjal Bhumij among others. The inclusion of Mandar Rao Dessai has bolstered the team’s defense and together with players like Sarthak Golui, Senegalese Mouinada Fall and Mohamad Rakip they are ready to thwart any offensive lineup.
On the other hand, NorthEast United FC under new coach Gerard Nus, would also be aiming for redemption after a bad last season. The Highlanders will expect their foreign players to do their job, relying heavily on former Anderlecht and Queens Park Rangers forward Idrissa Sylla and former Ghana international Kwesi Appaiah.
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NEUFC will keep in mind their perennial weakness in front of goal: The Highlanders have scored just 95 goals in 98 games so far in ISL history. However, to achieve a big change in attitude, midfielder Federico Gallego will have to lead the way. The Uruguayan will seek to replicate his form from the 2018-19 season when the Highlanders made the playoffs.
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