MCFC, who won the League Winners Shield last month, reached the final after a thrilling penalty shoot-out win against FC Goa. On the other hand, Bagan edged out NorthEast United 3-2 on aggregate over two-legs.
Mumbai City FC players train on the eve of the Indian Super League final against ATK Mohun Bagan at Margao yesterday
Mumbai City FC (MCFC) face ATK Mohun Bagan in the final of the ISL today in Margao and the Islanders’ Nigerian forward Bartholomew Ogbeche has no hesitation in admitting that the defending champions from Kolkata are the toughest opponents Mumbai have faced this season.
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MCFC, who won the League Winners Shield last month, reached the final after a thrilling penalty shoot-out win against FC Goa. On the other hand, Bagan edged out NorthEast United 3-2 on aggregate over two-legs.
Call for caution
Talking about the ultimate task ahead, former PSG forward Ogbeche, 36, said that MCFC will have to mix caution with aggression against an opponent like Bagan.
“Our strategy is always to take the game to the opponent. But we must not forget that we are up against a difficult team. Among all the teams we have played, Bagan are by far more the toughest opponents we have faced this season,” said Ogbeche during a virtual media interaction on Friday.
Ogbeche, who represented Nigeria in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, added that his side will have to be ready to suffer in order to claim glory. “We need to attack them, but still be cautious as they have the ability to fight back. We must be ready to suffer when difficult moments arrive and show character,” said the former NorthEast United and Kerala Blasters player.
The Sergio Lobera-managed side are unbeaten against Antonio Lopez Habas’s team this season with two wins (1-0, 2-0), but Ogbeche reckoned the final be a totally different game.
‘No margin for error’
“The final is one big game and there is no margin for error. Our approach since the start of the season has been to play every game as if it’s the final. We want to go home without regrets. We need to put in our best effort as well as play smart. We have the tools in our repertoire to win such games,” said Ogbeche, who has scored eight times in 22 appearances this season.
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