Pune: Laggards of the inaugural edition, Mumbai City FC and FC Pune City would hope for a better outing this time around as they start their campaign in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2 in the absence of key domestic players on Monday.
After finishing the first season in the bottom half of the eight-team points table, both Mumbai and Pune have used the transfer window ahead of the second season to good effect and have rejigged their sides.
Despite the signing of top international players like David Trezeguet and Jermaine Pennant, the Pune team finished sixth in the league of eight last time.
This time, they have a comparatively stronger team with the likes of Romanian striker Adrian Mutu and veteran Ivory Coast international Didier Zokora in their ranks besides also signing promising Indian players like Eugeneson Lyngdoh and Jackichand Singh.
Surprisingly, FC Pune City have appointed Zokora as captain at the expense of marquee player Mutu who can now focussed on scoring goals. It will, however, be interesting to see if the strategy works out first up at the Balewadi Sports Complex.
Being led and coached by French football great Nicolas Anelka, Mumbai received extra momentum when they bagged India captain Sunil Chhetri in the Indian players auction earlier this year.
With 50 goals to his credit at the international level, the 31-year-old Chhetri's zeal and enthusiasm for the game is expected to make the side strong up-front and his experience in this part of the country will come to help immensely.
However, Chhetri and six other national team players in both the teams will not be around as they are leaving the country for India's 2018 World Cup qualifying round game against Turkmenistan on October 8 at Ashgabat.
Other India players missing Monday's match will be goalkeeper Subrata Paul, midfielder Lalchhuanmawia Fanai and forward Chhetri in the Mumbai side.
Pune will miss the services of defender Pritam Kotal, midfielders Eugeneson Lyngdoh and Bikash Jairu and striker Jackichand Singh in their opening match.
As far as Mumbai is concerned, Andre Moritz -- a Brazilian of Italian and German descent who holds the record for the only hat-trick in the ISL when he netted thrice against state rivals FC Pune City in a 5-0 rout last year -- will add to the side's strength in the forward line.
Haitian striker Sony Norde is well versed in Indian conditions after playing for reigning I-League champions Mohun Bagan last year.
On the other hand, Pune will be managed by David Platt, a former assistant coach of English football giants Manchester City, and his vast experience at the club level will surely come handy for the side.
