ISL 2018-19: Kerala Blasters vs Mumbai City FC - 3 key player battles

#2 Matej Poplatnik vs Lucian Goian

Lucian Goian (left) was Mumbai's best player in their opening fixture against Jamshedpur FC [Credits: ISL]

The only foreign recruit to have been re-signed by the Mumbai team, Lucian Goian has been one of the only consistent performers for the term from Maharashtra.

At 35 years of age, Goian may not possess the pace that he had in the past but his tactical acumen and the knowledge of the game gives him an upper hand over any rival forwards.

The Romanian has so far made 31 appearances and 191 clearances 164 tackles and 61 interceptions in his name in the league.

One of the new signings of the season for the Kerala Blasters, Matej Poplatnik has started the season on a high with an excellent goal in his debut match against ATK in the season opener.

The Slovenian goal machine possesses incredible pace and has very good first touch as well as good dribbling skills making him a handful for any defence.