Mumbai City FC return to the Mumbai Football Arena to begin their 2025/26 Indian Super League campaign with a home fixture against Chennaiyin FC. The Islanders are set to kick off the new season in front of their fans and will look to set the tone early in what promises to be a competitive and compact campaign.
Head Coach Petr Kratky expressed his excitement ahead of the opener and the opportunity to start the season at home.
“It means a lot. I’m very happy, first of all, that the season is starting. We were waiting for it for a long time, so I’m very happy about that. And I’m more than happy to start at home and in front of our own fans.”
While Mumbai City FC hold a strong historical record in this fixture, Kratky emphasised that the focus remains firmly on the present and the demands of a new season.
“This is a very specific season. What happened in the past, I think this season is very specific. There are new coaches, new players, a lot of movement around the league and clubs. For me, it’s a new format, a short season, a mini season. We have to focus on every opponent the same way. The start is very important for us. We had a very good preparation with the team, I’m very happy, so we will see how we execute it tomorrow.”
Club captain Lallianzuala Chhangte highlighted the work put in during pre-season and the positive atmosphere within the squad.
“It’s really nice to be back with the team. God is so gracious to all of us, and we’ve been preparing really, really hard. I don’t think the time is ever enough, but we had a decent time. The coaching staff, the medical team, everyone had specific tactics and things that we needed to work on, and we’ve been tirelessly working on those. We’ve analysed last season as well and are working on the things that can improve this season. We are really looking forward to playing our first match in front of our home fans.”
Speaking about his role as captain and the team’s mindset going into the fixture, Chhangte added:
“For me, it’s all about leading by example. Of course, I have individual goals and targets, but it’s all about team success. There’s a really positive energy around the team. The atmosphere is really positive, and we are really looking forward to it. Chennaiyin FC are a very competitive team, with a new coach and a lot of new players, so we have to be ready.”
With both teams entering a new phase and the league format placing added importance on every fixture, the Islanders will aim to translate their preparation into a strong performance in front of their home supporters.
