After dominating the 2022-23 Indian Super League season and winning another Shield, Mumbai City FC are on the brink of a double. It’s a feat they previously accomplished in 2021.
However, a big challenge awaits them from Bengaluru FC in the semi-finals. The Blues are on a roll towards the end of the campaign, winning nine straight games and conceding just six goals in the process.
Mumbai City FC need to do their best to defeat Simon Grayson’s resilient Bengaluru FC. Speaking to the press before the decider, head coach Des Buckingham discussed the team’s preparations for the high-pressure matchup. He also reflected on the importance of focusing on themselves.
“We don’t really talk about it being a semi-final. We don’t talk about pressure or confidence. We just concentrate on our performance,” said the Mumbai City FC manager. “We got to win the league without losing a game. But we talk about our own performances and we have a way of working.”
“We have internal performance measures that we try to meet every game and how can we, if we can meet those measures as often as possible, hopefully the results will follow.”
The Mumbai City FC manager went on and talked about the preparations for the upcoming match.
“Certainly that’s what’s started to show. It’s just reflecting now on the 20 games, looking at what’s gone well and making sure we continue, trying to prepare as best as we can for the next game because we’ve already shown in the 20 Now, if we can do that, then we’ll put ourselves in the best position to go and secure the double.”
The Islanders were in a league of their own this season and their efforts were rewarded with a trophy. With a winner’s medal already in the bag, Buckingham was asked if Mumbai City FC could show the same determination in the playoff qualifiers.
“There are people who play a lot in their career and may not win anything in terms of trophies. So in order for us to do that and keep chasing more, there is still a lot more we want to achieve this year and winning the Shield is a good start,” he explained.
“It’s certainly not something we’re going to sit back and try to be happy about. We may be happy with what we’ve achieved, but we do have some excitement about what’s directly in front of us now. We’re very looking forward to the games of playoffs”.
added:
“We made some decisions in the last games to give players who were on cards rest and also possible injuries, at the same time that we gave many of our young players the opportunity to show their skills and the hunger that each member has. of this team to go win each one”. game.
“The good thing is that now we have everyone available from our team for that semi-final, which is very important for us, especially because of how important our team has been to us this year.”
Mumbai City FC boss Des Buckingham says league form doesn’t guarantee play-off success
Mumbai City FC has undoubtedly been the best team in the ISL this season as the table shows. However, knockout football can be a cruel game, with past successes completely nullified. Buckingham spoke about the challenges his team could face in the two-legged semi-final tie.
“I think the shape of the season can sometimes go out the window during the play-off phase. Regardless of which team we play, we have already shown this season that against any of those teams we can perform and play well and if you can do it against them in the semi-finals and meet the standards that we tried to put on ourselves, we will put our team in the best position I can go in and hopefully get the result.
“You never know in the game, but we’ll prepare to the best of our ability. We’ve had a good two weeks now where we can sit back and watch and see what happens and prepare to the best of our ability for those games.”
The home of Mumbai City FC has been a strength for the islanders as they have only lost once, while they have won six on home soil. Buckingham expressed his thanks to the loyal supporters, who will once again be in full voice at their final home game of the season against Bengaluru FC.
“After the Shield celebrations and with the knockouts looming, I personally want to thank the fans for their support. That Shield was, of course, for them, since they have not been able to be in a stadium for more than two years. So to be able to come back in the first season and see their team raise the Shield in front of them was a very special moment to share with them.”
Mumbai City FC has been ruthless and determined so far. However, after a two-week hiatus, Buckingham and his squad will need to pick up the pace again to seal a place in the ISL final.