#4 Jayesh Rane vs Pritam Kotal
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Like Mehta, Jayesh Rane is one of Khalid Jamil’s old Mumbai FC players to have linked up with the manager at Aizawl. The 24-year-old doesn’t score many goals — he has just two in 16 games — but his energy, intelligence and movement on and off the ball make him a vital cog in Aizawl’s machine. The wide midfielder links up well with the full-backs, alternating between overlapping and cutting in and often drifts into good positions centrally.
Rane could be said to have a free role in Aizawl’s setup, but should he start on the left flank, he will encounter one of the league’s most consistent full-backs in Mohun Bagan’s Pritam Kotal. Kotal has played every minute of every game this season. His defensive discipline and propensity to put in early crosses make Kotal an ideal right-back.
However, in Rane, Kotal will face a tricky customer constantly on the move. The 23-year-old will have to decide when to go on one of his forward runs so as to not expose his defence to Aizawl’s counter attacks. It will be a tasty battle between Rane and Kotal, one which could have a huge bearing on the result.
