Another Episode of one of India's Greatest Football Rivalries: Bengaluru FC vs Mohun Bagan Match Preview
After
Bengaluru FC was founded in July 2013, the two clubs have repeatedly
been at the centre of high-stakes, emotionally charged clashes,
representing an age of Indian football in which the tradition meets
corporatisation.
Although
BFC dominated the fixture in the first year of their rivalry, Mohun
Bagan remained dominant over them throughout the years followed by an
insane 2014-15 I-League season that remains one of the most memorable in
the rivalry's history. The rivalry took on new dimensions when
Bengaluru FC entered the Indian Super League (ISL) in 2017, three years
before Mohun Bagan.
However, Mohun Bagan’s defense has been
shaky, and Señor Jose Molina will need to ensure that their backline,
anchored by Tom Aldred, in absence of Alberto, the young gun Dippendu,
and Captain Bose stays compact to take on the pace of Bengaluru’s
counter-attacks led by the likes of Vinith Venkatesh, Suresh or Mendez.
Mariners will also need to improve their finishing, as their recent matches have demonstrated a lack of ruthlessness in front of goal, and surprisingly three of their four goals in this ISL season have been scored by defenders!
This time this is going to be a fiercely contested encounter. Scheduled to take place on September 28, 2024, both teams are willing to find a win early in the league, with Bengaluru FC currently holding second place in the standings with six points from two, while Mohun Bagan aiming to get back to sustain a winning streak, after a gritty win over NorthEast United FC.
Zaragoza's Bengaluru: Where Experience meets Youth.
All set for a cracker at the Kanteerava! 🔥
— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) September 28, 2024
See you at the Fortress, Bengaluru! 🔵
Get your🎟️here: https://t.co/ADh769agVZ#WeAreBFC #ನೀಲಿಎಂದೆಂದಿಗೂ #BFCMBSG pic.twitter.com/RVXYBbJ85v
Bengaluru FC typically sets up in a 4-3-3 formation, which allows them to transition smoothly between defense and attack. This system is designed to create overloads in wide areas, allowing for quick counter-attacks once possession is restored. At the back, Rahul Bheke and Aleksandar Jovanovic or Sana Singh form a solid central defensive pairing, with Gurpreet Singh Sandhu providing stability in goal.
The full-backs, Nikhil Poojary and Naorem Roshan Singh, are vital in assisting attacks and providing width, while their defensive tasks include neutralising Mohun Bagan's wide players, particularly Liston Colaco, who has been a decent spark for the Mariners.
Bengaluru's midfield is compact in defence and expansive in attack. Noguera and Mendez serve as the creative force, sending balls into spaces for Pereyra Díaz or Sunil Chhetri to exploit. Their ability to break up play and start quick transitions will be critical against a Mohun Bagan team that prefers to control possession and is anxious about conceding goals frequently.
In BFC's "overloading of midfielders around the center line to initiate combinations to eventually deliver the ball to the overlapping player" tactics, midfielders cluster themselves around the deep lying playmaker to drag the opposition midfielders and to create space for the wingers. Padro Capo, a Mallorca-born midfielder, has the potential to cause issues in Mohun Bagan's defence with his keen vision and ability to cut through it.
Zaragoza often includes captain-leader-legend Sunil Chhetri in second halves, and it seems he's making it to the starting XI as Pereyra Diaz is doubtful. His presence in the box remains a cause for concern. Vinith Venkatesh's pace, precision, and game sense could be the key to breaking through the Blues' onslaught.
Breaking the Blues: Not easy but not impossible as well.
Who remembers Dimi’s stunner at Kanteerava? 🤩
— Mohun Bagan Super Giant (@mohunbagansg) September 27, 2024
Catch all the #ISL action on @JioCinema
👉 https://t.co/8B4Uziht37 📺#MBSG #JoyMohunBagan #আমরাসবুজমেরুন pic.twitter.com/wN7GbmjoY7
The primary goal-scoring responsibilities will rest on Jason Cummings, and Jamie Maclaren. One of these two is expected to start for sure, stay closer to the opposition defensive line, waiting for through balls and crosses with Greg playing the very crucial role of the number ten, offering creativity and flair in the final third. His vision can unlock Bengaluru’s defense if given time and space on the ball and for us, he's a must start.
Liston, who will be playing his 100th match for Mohun Bagan, if he features, must establish himself as a dangerous outlet on the left, where he will most likely face off against Bengaluru's full-backs.
Molina may also begin with Dimi Petratos, who frequently ties up with defence and attack by dropping deep. Their ability to exploit the space behind Bengaluru's full-backs, particularly through Colaco's speed and Greg's creativity, will be critical in breaking down Bengaluru's defensive lines.
Molina's coaching is already under question after five back-to-back draws in 90 minutes, followed by a barely managed victory over NorthEast where Bagan trailed twice and eventually netted the winner in the 87th minute. It is Molina's acid test to come out these criticisms and Mohun Bagan to do what Mohun Bagan do the best.
The most awaited Indian Football Rivalry is back,when the 2 most successful Indian Club's of the last decade face each other for the 26th time in an epic encounter today at Sree Kantirava Stadium, Bengaluru.
— MBFT : Mohun Bagan (@MBFT89) September 28, 2024
Here is how they fared against each other in past:#MBSGBFC #ISL #MBFT pic.twitter.com/pp9DEOdyyq
Notes:
2. Ryan Williams will be unavailable for the Blues.
Pereyra Diaz is doubtful as he's recovering from injury.
Key stats:
2. Dimitrios Petratos scored 5 goals and made an assist in 6 games against BFC.
Starting XI Predictions:
MBSG: Vishal, Subhasish, Aldred, Dippendu, Rai, Apuia, Abhishek, Liston, Manvir, Greg, Maclaren.
Date: 28th September, 2024.
