Goa: Bengaluru FC lock horns with league leaders Mumbai City FC in match 48 of Indian Super League at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa on Tuesday(January 5).
The match will be the clash of titans as both the sides will go shoulder to shoulder with each other. Head to head stats between the two sides suggest, Bengaluru has faced Mumbai 6 times in ISL, the former won three while the latter won two with the other ended in a draw. However, history will matter a little as these two heavyweights will go with a fresh mindset looking turn-up heat right from the word go.
Bengaluru, despite having a star stacked squad, have not been at their very best in the 7th edition of ISL, taking just 12 points from 8 matches so far. After a disappointing loss in their last match against Jamshedpur(1-0), coach Carles Cuadrat hope to improve his side’s goal scoring prowess. Failure to score in the early minutes of the game to put pressure on the opponent and major dependency on Sunil Chhetri to get goals for the side are major concern for Bengaluru in the 7th edition of ISL.
“The first goal is very important, not only in ISL but in any league in the world. When you score first in a game, you force the other team to open up and then you get space behind to score on the counter-attack. When you concede first, it gets difficult because the other team becomes compact.” the 52year-old Spaniard added in his pre-match press conference.
Suspension of Eric Paartalu and injury of Ashique Kuruniyan have further joepardised Bangaluru plans but Blues are known for their resilience and ability to bounce back.
Mumbai on the hand, are absolutely sensational in the campaign so far, topping the points table under the Coach Sergio Lobera, who has turned this side into a counter attacking machine. However, they will have to be careful as Bengaluru have great firepower in their tanks as well and will come all guns blazing for expecting nothing less than three points.
Besides, the Islanders will have to be tight and careful at the back as the Blues can hurt the most from set-pieces. Mumbai will rely heavily on the dynamism of Rowlin Borges and Mandar Rao Dessai to put pressure on their opponents.
