Dylan Fox could get the nod ahead of Ivan Gonzalez at the back. With an established set of starting players, Ferrando will look to employ a creative midfield partnership of Edu Bedia and Glan Martins. With the swashbuckling pre-season they had, one can only expect this side to be hungry for the title. The 40-year-old has enjoyed commendable progress since his appointment and will look to build on the same. Juan Ferrando has retained the core of his team, with the only notable departure being Igor Angulo (Mumbai City) and Ishan Pandita (Jamshedpur). FC GoaДЄfter they narrowly missed out on the final last season, FC Goa will look to come out with all guns blazing. Can Buckingham also avert a rotational crisis with game-time for the youngsters? Coming off the back of a considerably relaxed pre-season, the team will look to stamp their authority on this game and set a marker for the remainder of the season.

What remains to be seen is how a palatable balance is achieved among the Indian and foreign players. Igor Angulo and Ygor Catatau are exciting signings, with the former a key figure for FC Goa last season. Buckingham has an uphill task of retaining the squadвЂ™s integrity as well as using the incoming Rahul Bheke, Igor Angulo and Lalengmawia efficiently. The Islanders have had to cope with massive changes in and around the club, with the departures of key players Boumous, Amrinder, head coach Sergio Lobera as well as the introduction of the new four foreigners rule. The Stakes Mumbai City FCДЇor Mumbai City FC, ISL 2021-22 will be all about consistency, as they look to defend their title while preparing for their AFC Champions League debut in 2022.

Goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh will want to use this season to claim a regular chance in the national team, while Airam Cabrera, Dylan Fox and Co. They also played pre-season friendlies against Bengaluru FC, who they beat 1-0, and Chennaiyin FC, who beat them 3-0. An early pre-season start in August helped them clinch their maiden Durand Cup title. Their top-four finish in 2020-21 was comprehensively followed up by their debut in the AFC Champions League. On the flip side, FC Goa will look for redemption. Regardless, the coach oversaw two pre-season draws against SC East Bengal and Odisha FC and a win over Hyderabad FC. Buckingham though will have to do without playmaker Hugo Bumous and goalkeeper Amrinder Singh вЂ“ two key components of LoberaвЂ™s championship-winning side. Des Buckingham will be keen to replicate his predecessor Sergio LoberaвЂ™s successful stint at the club.

The Islanders will be riding high on the back of a successful season where they clinched the league double. Despite all the previous drama, a new season signals a clean slate for most teams. The last of those clashes, however, was a knockout game, which saw Mumbai City edge ahead on penalties to make the ISL final. The evenly-matched teams fought out exciting stalemates in their last three meetings. It will be all to play for in the Indian Super League (ISL) on Monday, as Des Buckingham takes over the managerial reins of champions Mumbai City for their opener against Juan FerrandoвЂ™s FC Goa. His form will be crucial for the Blasters throughout the season as he will be the main man upfront for them.The Gaurs lost the playoffs to the Islanders via a penalty shootout last season. Vazquez may not be a very lethal striker with a lot of goals but he compensates for that aspect with his excellent chance creation and link-up play. He will shoulder the expectations of scoring consistently for the Blasters as he will have the support of Jorge Pereyra and Adrian Luna along with the domestic players. Apart from Espanyol, he has also plied his trade for Getafe and enjoyed his best season in La Liga, scoring five goals along with four assists in the 2015-16 season. His experience of playing in top leagues will come in handy for the Blasters. The 31-year-old Spaniard has plied his trade in the Premier League with Swansea City and has also featured in the La Liga with Espanyol. Last season the Tuskers went with Gary Hooper which badly misfired hence they will hope that Vazquez leaves his impression in Indian football. The former Swansea City and Espanyol man bring a lot of experience and goals for the Yellow Army. Kerala Blasters made a huge statement by signing Spanish marksman Alvaro Vazquez.

Isl football 2015