Kolkata: Mumbai City FC have been dealt with a heavy blow as former Arsenal star and their marquee player Fredrik Ljungberg is all set to be ruled out of Sunday's Indian Super League opener against Atletico de Kolkata.
Former Swedish captain Ljungberg, who is one of the biggest names in the Indian Super League, is carrying an injury he suffered during practice and Mumbai coach Peter Reid on Saturday said he doesn't want his marquee player to aggravate the injury and risk himself for the entire tournament. "I don't want to take any chances. If he [Ljungberg] aggravates his injury, we may not get him for the entire tournament," Reid said at the pre-match press conference at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday.
"It's [Ljungbeg's absence] difficult but we are in good frame of mind and looking forward to the start of the tournament. We will play good football."
The Mumbai ISL franchise, which is co-owned by Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor, will also miss the services of former Chelsea star Nicolas Anelka.
Anelka, a 2008-09 Premier League golden boot winner, is serving a ban for making a controversial gesture while playing in the English Premier League (EPL).
Reid, who is a former manager of the current EPL champions Manchester City, said his team has got a good blend of talented Indian players and is not under any kind of pressure for the opening match.
However, for Mumbai captain Syed Rahim Nabi, Sunday's opener will be a tough one as the midfielder will be playing his first match without Kolkata support. "First time out of Kolkata and the Salt Lake Stadium that is my home for 12 years. For me it's quite tough. Many of my fans are here."
Nabi added that Atletico de Kolkata have got good footballers and the biggest advantage for them is the crowd support.
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