Have table toppers Bengaluru FC lost steam or is it just a hiccup?

Bengaluru FC Head Coach, Carles Cuadrat during match 53 of the Hero Indian Super League 2018 ( ISL ) between Bengaluru FC and Mumbai City FC held at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru, India on the 9th December 2018 Photo by: Deepak Malik /SPORTZPICS for ISL

Bengaluru FC look like a different team than the one that started their Hero Indian Super League (ISL) campaign in a whirlwind manner.

The ISL 2017-18 finalists kicked off their campaign this season with a close win over defending champions Chennaiyin FC, and even though they were held 2-2 by Jamshedpur FC at home, their six victories in a row was proof of their enormous strength. When in form, they could steamroll opposition, and when not at their best, they could still grind out victories.

Since the long winter break for the Asian Cup 2019, they have only managed to pick up just four points from as many games which included defeats to Mumbai City FC and Chennaiyin FC. In fact, they just about managed to pick up a point against Kerala Blasters after a shoddy display in the first half and it was the brilliance of goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, coupled with the wastefulness of NorthEast United’s attackers, which allowed the Blues to nick a win.

Such a poor run of results does not augur well for Bengaluru — unbeaten in 11 matches — towards the business end of the ISL. The all-important play-offs are less than a month away, so is there a cause for concern?

“We have been using one team while Miku was well and now we can rotate and rest players and it is a different team playing. So, they do not have the mechanics of the team that was playing in the first games of the season. I wanted to give some rest for the players since they are going to be important in the play-offs. You have to rotate to have players fit for the play-offs. This is our plan,” explained Bengaluru FC coach Carles Cuadrat.

Bengaluru FC are on the brink of making it to the top four once again this season. They have 31 points already in 15 matches and considering that only 30 points were needed to clinch the play-off berth last season, they might already have sealed their place. That perhaps explains why Cuadrat has been rotating his squad by giving the likes of Edmund Lalrindika, Rino Anto, Gursimrat Gill, Ajay Chettri and others a chance to make an impression.

Since Miku’s return from injury, he has looked rusty. The same is the case with Nishu Kumar, who just got back to full fitness. Captain Sunil Chhetri underwent a lean patch of form in front of goal before scoring two goals in the last two outings. Also, Bengaluru chose to let go of Chencho Gyeltshen on loan, despite the Bhutanese striker winning them four points. New signing Luisma has looked short of match fitness.

Compared to last season, Bengaluru’s bench strength also seems underwhelming. Last season, they had the likes of Subhasish Bose, Alwyn George, Lenny Rodrigues, John Johnson, Toni Dovale and Edu Garcia to call upon at different times. Now, there are no big names waiting for their chance on the bench.

The rest and rotation may be part of a plan, but two defeats in four matches has taken away the aura of invincibility that surrounded Bengaluru FC. Teams will now take the field knowing they have more than a fighting chance of knocking out the Super Cup champions. Unless, in the next three games before the play-offs, Bengaluru return to form and instill fear in the minds of their opposition, again.

Also Read: Robin Singh ends goal drought as Pune-ATK encounter end in 2-2 draw
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football.

SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players

SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…

Share

India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here

India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…

Share

Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind

Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.

Share

Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign

Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…

Share

BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls

The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…

Share

Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team

Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…

Share

The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back

The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…

Share

BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb

Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE).  Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…

Share

India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career

After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…

Share

Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League

Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…

Share