New Delhi [India], October 18 (ANI): Punjab FC is eager to build on their winning momentum as they take on Mumbai City FC in their second consecutive home match of the Indian Super League 2026-27 season on Monday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, with kick-off set for 7:30 PM.
Under the guidance of new Head Coach Pavlos Dermitzakis, Punjab FC started the season positively, narrowly defeating Odisha FC 2-1, with Raphaël Messi Bouli scoring at both the beginning and the end of the match. In contrast, Mumbai City FC, also led by a new coach, Manolo Marquez, faced a 1-2 loss against newcomers Churchill Brothers in Goa, as stated in a release.
Historically, Mumbai City holds an advantage in this matchup, having won three out of five league encounters, while Punjab has secured just one victory, with one match ending in a draw. In their last meeting at this venue, Mumbai City triumphed 2-0, thanks to goals from Valpuia and Vikram Partap Singh.
Ahead of the clash, Punjab FC’s Dermitzakis commented, “There is no real advantage for any team tomorrow as it is early in the season. The team that is better prepared will have a better game, and the team with better moments on the pitch will win the match.” He emphasized the importance of their own approach, stating, “It doesn’t matter how the opponent prepares; what matters is how we approach the game and execute our plan.”
Punjab FC is likely to maintain a similar lineup to the one that secured victory in their opening game, while changes are expected from Marquez’s side following their unexpected loss.
Reflecting on the first match, Dermitzakis noted the character and confidence gained from the win, saying, “A win like that builds true character. We stuck to our plan, didn’t panic, and fought until the very last minute to get the result. The most important players aren’t necessarily the ones who start the game; they are the ones who come off the bench and finish it.”
Local forward Gurkirat Singh also shared his thoughts, stating, “This is my hometown, and I always wanted to represent Punjab, and that was my biggest motivation to come here this season. My goal this season is simple: to score, assist, and help the team win. I want to win the championship with my hometown club.”
Meanwhile, Mumbai City aims to recover from their initial defeat, with a squad that mixes experience and youth, hoping to bring intensity and unity to their performance.
Coach Manolo Márquez addressed the team’s mindset following the loss, saying, “We lost the first game, and we are not happy, but this happens in football, and you need to continue. When you have some days to train, you train to improve for the next game, and this is what we did. It’s not how you start; it’s always how you finish the season.”
