ISL 2022-23: We will continue to play attacking football – Mumbai City FC’s Des Buckingham

Mumbai City FC head coach Des Buckingham has revealed the club will continue to play attacking football and back their way in the rest of the ISL season. The Islanders will face Odisha FC at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneshwar on Monday to begin their 2023 campaign.

Mumbai City FC is currently in second place with eight wins in 11 matches and three draws. They have a total of 27 points in their kitty and they are the only unbeaten team. Furthermore, Mumbai City has scored 32 goals in the tournament so far, which is the most for any team.

Buckingham admitted that Odisha FC’s game is similar to their style of play and they will need to be alert in their defense.

“They have got a good team and the way Josep (Gombau) sets them up, they want to play a certain way and it is similar to ours. I don’t think it’s one area where the game is going to be won, it’s across the field. They have some good attackers and it’s about making sure our defence is ready for that, but also to be able to play the way we want,” Buckingham said at the pre-match press conference.

The Englishman added they will back their style of play irrespective of the opposition as it has yielded the desired results for them in the ongoing season.

“In terms of how we want this club to play, it’s to go and attack and play the football that we play. Whether it’s playing Air Force Club in the AFC Champions League or playing Odisha FC away, we know the challenges we have, but our approach doesn’t change. We will go on and play our football to the best of our abilities. Then, if we need to manage situations in the game, whether it’s to secure a result or put ourselves in a strong position like making changes to impact the game or more reinforcements to secure the game, that’s what we have the ability to do this year as well. My approach will never change – it’s to attack and to play a good brand of football,” he explained.

Mumbai City has come up with a collective show in ISL 2022-23 as 11 different players have found the back of the net for them.

“Teams will approach and try to stop our midfield in different ways, but the pleasing thing is that we have different ways to come out of that and play. And in the end, it’s the box where the game is decided. What’s pleasing is the combination of our front five(-six) players with (Jorge) Diaz, Bipin (Singh), (Lallianzuala) Chhangte, Apuia..who is now scoring goals and Vinit scored the other week, Greg (Stewart) and Alberto (Noguera). So the contribution of our front five and the threat of those, is going to be so important to make sure we keep up those threats and finish off those moves,” Buckingham said.