Mumbai City FC's much-anticipated AFC Champions League clash with Neymar's Al-Hilal has been relocated to DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, shifting from its initial venue in Pune. This pivotal match is slated for November 6.
The move was prompted by heightened security requirements and surging ticket demand. Originally, the fixture was relocated from Mumbai City FC's home turf at Andheri Sports Complex to Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune before this latest change.
Competing in Group D of the 2023/24 AFC Champions League, Mumbai City FC shares the stage with the likes of Al-Hilal from Saudi Arabia, Iran's FC Nassaji Mazandaran, and Navbahor from Uzbekistan. However, the team's Champions League journey had a rocky start, marked by a 0-2 defeat to Nassaji Mazandaran on September 18.
Last season, Al-Hilal narrowly missed out on the AFC Champions League title, succumbing to Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds in the final. However, they've upped the ante this season, making waves in the transfer market. The signing of Brazilian footballing sensation Neymar, formerly with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), is undoubtedly the most headline-grabbing. Additionally, Al-Hilal, already four-time AFC Champions League victors, bolstered their ranks with the inclusion of Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic from Napoli and Ruben Neves, the Portuguese maestro from Wolverhampton Wanderers of the English Premier League.
The 21st edition of the AFC Champions League, Asia's premier football club tournament, parades 40 elite teams. They are grouped into 10 clusters of four. These groups are evenly divided between the West (Groups A to E) and East Zones (Groups F to J).
From these clusters, the leading team from each, coupled with the three most outstanding second-place finishers from both zones, will pave their way to the round of 16 knockouts. The group stage combat for the 2023-24 Champions League championship kicked off on September 18.
Teams lock horns twice with their group counterparts, all vying for those coveted knockout spots. These high-stakes matches will commence in February of the upcoming year.
Having clinched the Indian Super League Shield earlier in the year, Mumbai City FC is no stranger to the AFC Champions League. This marks their second consecutive foray into this esteemed competition.
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