Welcome to Sportstar’s dwell weblog of the Indian Super League match between KBFC and BFC, being performed in Bengaluru on Saturday.
Confirmed lineups:
Bengaluru FC: Gurpreet (GK), Parag, Sandesh, Alan, Roshan, Prabir, Bruno, Javi, Rohit, Roy Krishna, Sivasakthi
Kerala Blasters: Gill (GK); Nishu, Victor, Hormipam, Jessel (C); Jeakson, Ivan, Sahal, Rahul; Luna, Dimitrios
MATCH PREVIEW
Bengaluru FC readies itself for a house run as they welcome Kerala Blasters to the Kanteerava Stadium for the primary of their remaining three League fixtures, all of which they play on the Fortress. The Blues, who’ve received their final 5 video games in a row, will look so as to add impetus to their playoff hopes with a win in opposition to the Men in Yellow.
“We’re in a positive frame of mind with the recent results and performances. The players feel confident. The game tomorrow is another big step for us to get where we want to be. I’m really looking forward to the game and expect it to be an unbelievable atmosphere at the stadium as well,” stated Blues Head Coach Simon Grayson, addressing the media forward of the sport on Saturday.
Both sides come into Saturday evening’s fixture having received their earlier video games 2-1, with the Blues profitable away to ATK Mohun Bagan, whereas Kerala Blasters noticed off Chennaiyin FC. Saturday would be the twelfth assembly between the 2 sides within the Indian Super League.
In the 11 conferences to this point, the Blues have received six whereas there have been three attracts on this fixture. Basters triumphed 3-2 when the 2 sides met earlier within the season in Kochi, with Sunil Chhetri and Javi Hernandez scoring for the Blues.
“I got a sample of the rivalry between the two teams in Kochi. As a team, we need to ensure that we play with our minds and our hearts, and show the passion and desire required for any ISL game. We didn’t play well in the first half when we last played them. But, tomorrow is another chance to get the three points that matter. As a team, we need to think about executing the game plans that we’ve worked on,” Grayson replied.
The Blues will look to maintain the trio of Dimitrios Diamantakos, Ivan Kaliuzhnyi and Adrian Luna at bay. Diamantakos is the best scorer for Kerala Blasters this season with 9 targets to his title, whereas Luna is the best help supplier within the squad with six assists. The Uruguayan has additionally created 43 probabilities, the best in Ivan Vukomanovic’s aspect and the third highest within the League.
Speaking on the fixture, Grayson opined “There are no easy games in this League regardless of the opposition being top or bottom of the division. We have to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition we play next, work to win the game and then move on to the next game.”
The Blues boss is not going to have Suresh Singh Wangjam obtainable for choice because the midfielder picked up his fourth yellow card of the season within the earlier recreation in opposition to ATK Mohun Bagan. The absence of the influential midfielder may present a possibility for gamers like Bruno Ramires who could be a drive in the course of the park.
The Englishman will as soon as once more financial institution on his forwards, Sivasakthi and Roy Krishna, to proceed their good run of type. The Fijian will notably relish enjoying Ivan Vukomanovic’s aspect in opposition to whom he has scored 4 targets in seven video games within the League.
“I’m confident that someone will come in and do Suresh’s job. We have a lot of players who have been waiting for that opportunity. Our bench is strong and they could help us win. Otherwise, the team doesn’t change if things are going well. Roy and Siva have played for the last five games and you can see the confidence they have. The same can be said for our midfield and defence. It’s all about creating a settled team,” Grayson mused, when requested concerning the absence of the midfielder and the way it would possibly have an effect on the stability of the aspect.
A win on Saturday will take the Blues to twenty-eight factors, leaving them simply three factors behind Ivan Vukomanovic’s aspect within the league standings, who at present sit third within the ISL factors desk with 31 factors.
Kick-off between the 2 sides is scheduled for 7:30 pm IST on Saturday, and might be telecast dwell on the STAR Sports Network, Disney+Hotstar and JioTV.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com