ISL: Mumbai City FC 2-1 Atletico de Kolkata - 5 talking points

Mumbai City FC hosted Atletico de Kolkata in a must-win game for the home side at the D.Y Patil stadium in Mumbai. The home side needed a win to have any chance of qualifying for the semis. On the other hand, Atletico de Kolkata needed a win to seal a semis berth with a game in hand against FC Goa. The match ended 2-1 in Mumbai City's favour.Lalrindika Ralte gave the home side the lead in the 40th minute, Baljit Sahni equalized for Atletico de Kolkata in the second half, but that wasn't enough as Mumbai City's big German defender Manuel Friedrich header late in the second half sealed a win for the home side. Atletico de Kolkata have now won just one in their last nine games.Here are five talking points from the game:

#1 Mumbai City start on the offensive

Jan Stohanzl looking to start another attack for Mumbai

Mumbai City needed a win to keep their hopes alive to qualify for the semi-finals. They started the game on the offensive. Peter Reid's men kept the ball well and dominated the first half of the game in Atletico de Kolkata's half. Mumbai City skipper Syed Rahim Nabi, who was playing at right back, looked very sharp and along with marquee signing Anelka. Mumbai City got their reward 5 minutes before half-time, when Tiago's pass from the right was converted by Lalrindika Ralte to make it 1-0 for the home side.

Atletico de Kolkata once again looked toothless, despite skipper Luis Garcia returning to the starting XI, after missing the game against Delhi Dynamos. Antonio Habas' men have struggled to keep the possession and rely on long balls.

#2 Atletico de Kolkata- One man team?

Luis Garcia has been Atletico de Kolkata’s star performer in the ISL

Throughout the tournament, Atletico de Kolkata have heavily relied on their skipper Luis Garcia. The former Liverpool man has been key to Atletico de Kolkata’s success till now and the Kolkata outfit are always dependent on their skipper to produce goal scoring chances. Once again, Garcia played a leader role for his side and was a part in every attack that came from Atletico de Kolkata.

Garcia clever set-piece in the second half fooled everyone in the box, as he made a low pass to Borja Fernandez who assisted to Baljit Sahni for his third goal of the tournament.

#3 Lalrindika Ralte - The man for Mumbai City

Lalrindika ‘Didika’ Ralte celebrates after scoring the first goal

Didika was awarded the Man of the Match for his brilliant performance. The Indian midfielder was lively throughout the game and gave Mumbai City FC the lead from a Tiago pass. Didika also assisted Mumbai City FC's second goal, which Manuel Friedrich headed past Atletico de Kolkata's goalkeeper Apoula Edel.

Didika work rate was impressive throughout the game and made important tackles in the middle of the park. Mumbai City FC's goalkeeper Subrata Paul also made few brilliant saves to keep his team's hopes alive for a semis berth

#4 Habas to be blamed?

Antonio Habas is under intense pressure after 1 win in 9 matches

Atletico de Kolkata's boss Antonio Habas can easily be blamed for the team's recent poor performances. After a great start to the tournament, Atletico de Kolkata have won just one game in the last nine games. Habas' poor team selection and lack of no plan B are the reasons why Atletico de Kolkata have still not booked a semi-final berth. Despite having a decent group of foreign players, Habas has not used them well.

Habas should consider dropping striker Fikru and give others a chance because the long ball option is clearly not working for the team.

#5 Qualification scenario

Mumbai has a very slim chance of qualifying while Kolkata has its fate in its hands

As things stand, Atletico de Kolkata are still favourites to qualify for the semi-finals. A win against FC Goa at home will seal take them through, but even if they draw they have more than a good chance of qualifying because of a superior goal difference than the other teams fighting for the semi-final berth.

Mumbai City FC will need a miracle to qualify for the semis even if they win their next game. They have a -9 goal difference and that makes it very difficult for them to qualify for the semis.