PREVIEW: Mohun Bagan vs Bengaluru; Pride, position and priorities at stake

THERE IS LITTLE DOUBT Bengaluru FC will not retain the I-League title. But there is absolutely no doubt that the team from Karnataka will let the season go without a fight in every game.

Bengaluru's first of the five remaining games is against Mohun Bagan tomorrow at Rabindra Sarobar in Kolkata.  Both teams have ditto schedule. Both play 3 games in a span of 9 days. Once with each other in the I-League, a game in the AFC Cup and lastly another I-League fixture.

For the I-league defending champions, the I-league is beyond reach now, so they have it takes a lower place in the priorities for the season. If Bengaluru do manage to pull a victory against one of their fiercest rivals, not only they will not earn bragging rights but also cause a big dent in Bagan's I-league title ambitions. Bengaluru have players who have just returned from a successful national campaign and look in prime form, of the lot two have had their names on the score sheet and an assist as well. Off the next three games Bengaluru are travelling twice, to Kolkata and Maldives. This prompts them to rotate their squad to some extent.

Bengaluru FC Coach Roca told reporters,

“It’s gonna be difficult tomorrow. They have to get three points and want to finish top. We are expecting a difficult game but we are current champions. We will try to do our best for our supporters and for the team. We have a lot of respect for Mohun Bagan and their history. But we have to be competitive. We will do our best,”

On AFC Cup away tie, Roca said,

“It is a little advantage to them. In four days we have an important game in Maldives. We will have to manage the situation and play with a team tomorrow that can win.”

For the defending Federations Cup champions, there is everything to play for and seem to be in a fix. Bagan are sitting third in the I-League points table 7 points behind the league leaders with two games in hand. Nothing short of three points in every game can be satisfying if they are to bridge the seven point gap. Anas along with Kotal were excellent in the national duty and are an asset for the Bagan defence. .The Mariners are better off than BFC in the fact that they have all three next games at home. Bagan have some injury concerns with Sony Norde and Pronay Halder may not be available for the tomorrow. With this the problem for the Green and Maroon of Kolkata it added more emphasis on what concentrating many things at the same time. Firstly, bridging the point gap for I-League, then resting key players for the remainder of the I-League and AFC Cup and lastly giving their all out to ensure both I-League and AFC Cup hopes are kept alive.

On Norde's availability, Bagan coach Sanjoy sen said,

“I have not decided on that. He will in the 18-man squad,”

Not available

Full-back Rino Anto will not be available for the visitors on Saturday while Pronay Halder, Kean Lewis and U-22 player Rainier Fernandes are still recovering from their injuries for Bagan.

Summary 

So, Bengaluru FC look to have an upper hand with just AFC Cup to play for and banking on the strength of a deeper but fitter squad, they have the worry of two travels in the next 9 days plus pride in the I-league at stake. Mohun Bagan first task would be to understand what their priorities are and then look at how much squad strength and fitness is available to meet those priorities. For the Mariners, it will be a test of sorting priorities and then approaching the remainder of the season tactfully and after that tactically.

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