BFC vs NEUFC | Blues keen to pick up from where they left last season

by Chittu Shetty October 21, 2019

Defending Hero Indian Super League champions Bengaluru FC will be keen to pick up from where they left at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium the last time.

The Blues registered a come-from-behind win against NorthEast United FC in the two-legged playoff en route the final in 2018-19. The same opponents come calling in their 2019-20 season opener and Bengaluru FC could rewrite history by becoming the first team to win consecutive Hero ISL titles.

While coach Carles Cuadrat admitted that it’s ‘strange’ that none of the teams have been able to retain their title, Bengaluru’s focus is to ensure that they make it to the play-offs first and only then focus on clinching the silverware. “I tell my players to be competitive so that we can reach the play-offs. Then one bad game and you are out. It is not abnormal. No team has won it twice. It is a strange thing. It’s not our job to defend the title but right now (the job is) to reach the play-offs. After that we will do our best to win the title,” said the Spaniard.

Despite the departure of the stars of the previous season, NorthEast United have made substantial acquisitions and Cuadrat remains wary of the Highlanders. “NorthEast United is a completely different team with a different coach and so I am expecting a lot of competition. It is going to be a tough game for us. We have no idea about what NorthEast is going to offer. They have made some good signings like Asamoah Gyan. They also have other good players in their squad but it makes no sense for us to think about that. We have to focus on how we are going to prepare,” he pointed out.

Though they are the defending champions, Cuadrat is under no illusions that it is going to be an easy season for them. The Spaniard felt that other teams have upped their game and expects the race to the playoffs to be a close one. “It is going to be difficult for us this season. A lot of teams have spent a lot of money and they are going to be very competitive so I think that we have to keep working but not feel the pressure.”

The Blues have made several additions to the squad in the summer such as striker Manuel Onwu who would have the unenviable task of replacing the prolific Miku. “We had to leave Miku because of economics. But the new players have all the skill-sets we want. Miku is good for one thing and our current players suit different dynamics,” he explained.

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Northeast United FC players warm up before the start of the first leg of the first semi final of the Hero Indian Super League 2018 ( ISL ) between NorthEast United FC and Bengaluru FC held at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati, India on the 7th March 2019 Photo by: Vipin Pawar /SPORTZPICS for ISL

Meanwhile, NorthEast United coach Robert Jarni also felt that the changes Bengaluru FC have made to their squad will pose some trouble for the Highlanders. “Bengaluru FC have made some changes from last season. Also, we have some new players. We believe that we can do something good against them. We are confident and will try to bring the three points,” signed off the former Croatia Under-19 coach.

The former Croatian international who took over from Eelco Schattorie also felt his side might have a slight advantage since most of Bengaluru’s key Indian players (Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Udanta Singh, Ashique Kuruniyan and Rahul Bheke) were away with the Indian national team for a while and might not have had a chance to tune into Carles Cuadrat’s team’s preparations.

“Yes, it will be a little advantage for us. As a coach, you want to have the full squad for training. But they could not have that because of the international break. But they have good players who know the coach and they are playing together from last season. It might help a little, but it is definitely not going to make a big difference,” Jarni said.

The 50-year-old went on to concede that his team has a few new players, including high-profile signing Asamoah Gyan and they need a bit of time before they adapt to his philosophy. “The team is still young and I am still trying to influence my philosophy on them. This is my first season with this team. There are new players, so it is going to be difficult and we need time. We are working every day to get better. Only hard work and sweat can help you reach there. It is not only Asamoah who is happy, but everyone,” he said.

Jarni has the luxury of working with a completely fit squad with nobody missing through injury. He is, however, banking on a few exciting players in his team to deliver against Bengaluru. “There are few interesting players who are young, but I am not going to talk about individuals as we are a single unit. We are well prepared. It is the first game and you do not know how much progress your opponents have made. We are prepared for a win and now let’s see what happens on the match day.”