The Indian Classico | Mohun Bagan vs Bengaluru FC Match Preview | Durand Cup 2024
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| Courtesy : Indian Super League Media |
“The survival of the fittest." Every now and then we witness quintessential examples of this quote being applicable in football games. This sport, which can make or break even the strongest and the most powerful of dynasties and can bring joy or eternal sadness to millions of people around the globe can and also teach us some valuable life lessons.
As the Mohun Bagan defenders were being largely troubled by Pulga Vidal and the other Punjab FC forwards in their last game, and the fans with bated breath prayed for a miracle to arrive, the players locked in.
As the Mohun Bagan defenders were being largely troubled by Pulga Vidal and the other Punjab FC forwards in their last game, and the fans with bated breath prayed for a miracle to arrive, the players locked in.
The never-say-die attitude from the Mariners even after being behind, not once but twice, was extremely commendable. This game definitely sends a message to all the sporting directors out there to consider strong mentality as a top priority in team building, ensuring the presence of passionate players who will never give up, players who will win you games and tournaments.
As The Steel City witnessed a classic between the two ISL sides. The City of Joy had its own share of entertainment as well, with Bengaluru FC doing just enough to edge past Kerala blasters with a late (90+5') goal from the former KBFC man Jose Pereyra Diaz.
As The Steel City witnessed a classic between the two ISL sides. The City of Joy had its own share of entertainment as well, with Bengaluru FC doing just enough to edge past Kerala blasters with a late (90+5') goal from the former KBFC man Jose Pereyra Diaz.
Even though the game was not as entertaining as the one played at Jamshedpur, it still had its moments, and it revealed some interesting patterns of play which can surely help us get a grip of how the Bengaluru FC gaffer Gerard Zaragoza is planning out the season. They have been playing out a fluid 433. This formation becomes very flexible at different situations, and Jose Molina needs to be aware of some of the patterns they employ.
Bengaluru FC: Two Players Who Can Make a Difference
Pedro Capo's First Interview: Journey from Spain to Bengaluru FC | BFCTV Exclusive 📺
🗣️ Pedro Capo spoke at length about his excitement in joining the Blues, his first impressions of Bengaluru and what fans can expect from him this season. Don't miss out! 📹#WeAreBFC |… pic.twitter.com/1DQU1EFxrU
— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) July 30, 2024
Pedro Capo's First Interview: Journey from Spain to Bengaluru FC | BFCTV Exclusive 📺
🗣️ Pedro Capo spoke at length about his excitement in joining the Blues, his first impressions of Bengaluru and what fans can expect from him this season. Don't miss out! 📹#WeAreBFC |… pic.twitter.com/1DQU1EFxrU
PEDRO CAPO
The Mallorca born midfielder is not the most well-known name to join our league, infact the player himself never played in any top division league. However after going through his CV, it can be said that when he is in the right system, he will thrive.
The most fascinating part of him is that, he is a double edged sword. Even though his pace might be a problem, he has enough poise and vision to cut through any defense in the league. The Celta Vigo Galicia product also possesses a very useful trait - Long shots, which can cause Mohun Bagan problems.
MOHAMMED SALAH
The Liverpool-star namesake might be one of your “late bloomers” as they say, but his story is interesting nevertheless. The Kerala born leftback, who once used to ply his trade for regional clubs is now playing his best football since he first broke out while playing for DSK Shivajians which earned him a move to Gokulam.
The best trait of the player is his calmness in the wide areas, neatly recycling the ball and always circulating the play tidily. His crosses can be a source of danger too and should be taken ample care of by the Mariners rear-guard.
The best trait of the player is his calmness in the wide areas, neatly recycling the ball and always circulating the play tidily. His crosses can be a source of danger too and should be taken ample care of by the Mariners rear-guard.
Bengaluru FC: Build-Up Analysis
Indian Football fans will be familiar with Gurpreet’s build up prowess (or the lack of it) and I think, it will affect the type of game Bengaluru FC will try to play. With the keeper shooting the ball away aimlessly, the target man gets almost nullified in certain stages, so they preferred to mostly play the ball short to the left centre back. But how will it work?
The answer is “width”. The fullbacks and the sweepers position themselves in such a way that they aimlessly create triangles around their own penalty box, and mostly succeed in playing the ball to the midfielders too.
It may seem that they might have a problem if they lose the ball, but after the pass to the wingback is played or if they lose the ball, the Right Centre back moves across to the centre to intercept with the rightback taking his position temporarily making it a 3 at the back formation. Their tireless defensive midfielder then sweeps down and gathers the loose ball.
The answer is “width”. The fullbacks and the sweepers position themselves in such a way that they aimlessly create triangles around their own penalty box, and mostly succeed in playing the ball to the midfielders too.
It may seem that they might have a problem if they lose the ball, but after the pass to the wingback is played or if they lose the ball, the Right Centre back moves across to the centre to intercept with the rightback taking his position temporarily making it a 3 at the back formation. Their tireless defensive midfielder then sweeps down and gathers the loose ball.
But it is very much possible for Molina can easily counter that. The key is to employ a mid block and then win the ball around their final third. When they change into the three at the back formation, Liston can easily sneak into the vacant left wing while their right winger temporarily occupies the position of their right back who will be busy guarding the position of Rahul Bheke, the right centre back. If they can adopt flexibility, so can we.
BFC's Mid-Block: A Headache?
Another smart piece of tactical innovation in recent times has been this ‘passive mid-block’. What is this? “It is the overloading of midfielders around the centre-line to initiate combinations to eventually deliver the ball to the overlapping player”. In this sequence, the midfielders cluster themselves around the deep lying playmaker to drag the opposition midfielders and to create space for the winger/wingback/wing-midfielder.
If the DLP succeeds in playing the through pass with the space he will get, the overlapping player will find himself in acres of space to run into, thus successfully nullifying the oppositions press. I saw my favourite European team play this sequence from time to time, and it feels refreshing to see the philosophy being implemented in india. Kudos to Zaragoza for that.
Countering this is easy. Don’t over-commit. When their DLP will have the ball, only Stewart should mark him. In this particular image and sequence BFC failed miserably, the initial through ball let them down but we should avoid such scenarios nevertheless, prevention is better than cure.
If the DLP succeeds in playing the through pass with the space he will get, the overlapping player will find himself in acres of space to run into, thus successfully nullifying the oppositions press. I saw my favourite European team play this sequence from time to time, and it feels refreshing to see the philosophy being implemented in india. Kudos to Zaragoza for that.
Countering this is easy. Don’t over-commit. When their DLP will have the ball, only Stewart should mark him. In this particular image and sequence BFC failed miserably, the initial through ball let them down but we should avoid such scenarios nevertheless, prevention is better than cure.
How to Break the Blues?
Another example of their Flexibility is that their ability to turn into a 3 at-the-back effortlessly. Their compactness may prevent some attacks from the middle but may pose a problem, and that will be in wide areas. Liston will have a jolly time cutting inside with all the space in the world allowed. Moreover Shivaldo and Bheke both are kind of dodgy in defending crosses and we can use it as an advantage.
However the BFC defenders are energetic. In the picture it may seem that the free man on the far side of the picture is not man-marked, but he absolutely is. Infact when the ball will eventually go there, the left centreback and the leftback (plays a bit advanced so not in the frame) will double-team him, forcing him to go back and ruin the momentum temporarily. Playing down the left, in my opinion, is a better option for the time being, but let’s see how Molina switches things up.
However the BFC defenders are energetic. In the picture it may seem that the free man on the far side of the picture is not man-marked, but he absolutely is. Infact when the ball will eventually go there, the left centreback and the leftback (plays a bit advanced so not in the frame) will double-team him, forcing him to go back and ruin the momentum temporarily. Playing down the left, in my opinion, is a better option for the time being, but let’s see how Molina switches things up.
Mohun Bagan's Current Situation and Opinions
Coming up, Durand Cup semi final against @bengalurufc ⚡️#MBSG #JoyMohunBagan #আমরাসবুজমেরুন pic.twitter.com/8YgQrVdRjT
— Mohun Bagan Super Giant (@mohunbagansg) August 25, 2024
Even though I am more interested in pointing out the negatives which could have cost us a place in the Durand semis, I will remain optimistic for the time being as it is just the pre-season, and certain players are not fully in shape, and it is understandable.
The most moment of the game was, however, the long awaited return of Dimi Petratos, who was seemingly out of shape, but showed some nice glimpses of his ability to make things happen out of nothing, and even though he could not get himself into dangerous positions as much as I would have liked him too, I would still want him to play atleast one complete half against Bengaluru FC.
As much as it will be harsh on the young colts, I would prefer to start the main team from the very beginning as I feel Suhail and Dippendu needs a bit more fitting in. Both Subhashis and Jason should start with Stewart, Liston, Manvir and Tom Aldred, who scored the winning penalty against Punjab FC all starting.
Matchday minus one at camp 💪#MBSG #JoyMohunBagan #আমরাসবুজমেরুন pic.twitter.com/rQjDyqvFHW
— Mohun Bagan Super Giant (@mohunbagansg) August 26, 2024
A couple of question marks from the Mariners setup regarding Vishal Kaith’s performance in the regular time and I second with them. I think a goalie of his caliber should have saved both the shots from Mrzljak and Vidal who scored the second and the third goal for the Punjab based side, and even though his heroics in the penalty shootout saved his team and consequently his face, he should not repeat those mistakes as we come towards the business end of the Cup Competition.
However, that game was in the past, Mariners should now, at this crunch time, set their sails and aim for the trophy, filtering out all the minor mistakes we made in this edition of Durand Cup. As in all, we can safely say, that however tough the situation might be, we keep moving forward briskly.