Need to collect points from home games: Mumbai City assistant coach

Mumabi: Following back-to-back victories in front of their supporters, Mumbai City FC assistant coach Oscar Bruzon has stressed that collecting maximum points from the remaining home games is the need of the hour before they play their crucial away matches in the ongoing second season of the Indian Super League (ISL).

Mumbai are due to play two home matches against NorthEast United FC on Wednesday and against defending champions Atletico de Kolkata on Sunday at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, before they head to the capital to face Delhi Dynamos FC.

After a slow start to the season, Mumbai have got back to winning ways with victories against Delhi Dynamos FC and FC Goa in their last two encounters and are placed in sixth position with seven points from five matches, having drawn one, won and lost two each.

"This is a must win game for us. We are now playing at home and will soon finish the run of five home games. It will be tough for us when we play away, so we have to take the maximum points now. We have better chances now since we are playing at home," Bruzon said at the pre-match press conference here.

Mumbai City have managed to keep a clean sheet in both their previous victories and Bruzon was pleased with the defensive work that his team is doing.

"We are being consistent in defence. Opponents have not been able to create many chances. We are keeping our opponents under watch. When you are confident at the back, the attacking players also feel confident," the Spanish coach said.

Despite a string of disappointing results at the start, Bruzon said he never lost faith in the team and was always confident that the team would come good, also adding that Wednesday's clash against the visitors will be a tough fight.

"NorthEast will be difficult. It’s going to be a good fight. Both are fit teams," Bruzon said.

On the other hand, NorthEast, after a sluggish start, have come back strongly, beating Chennaiyin FC, followed by a win over Kolkata in their previous two matches. They are now placed seventh in the standings with six points from five games, losing three and winning two.

"The win is in the past. Now it's a different moment. It's important to be mentally prepared (for this game). Now, we have to focus on the present, (the) present is 90 minutes. We must have the ambition to collect (full) points," NorthEast coach Cesar Farias said.

Farias said the home side are a good team and are having good moments recently with two wins on the trot at home.

"We have respect for Mumbai City. They are an excellent team and have been winning," the NorthEast coach said.

Head-to-head, NorthEast are a step ahead with one win (2-0) and a draw (1-1) against Mumbai in their last two meetings.