ISL 2017: Bengaluru FC vs Mumbai City – Two of the strongest ISL title contenders

ONE TEAM topped the league in the last Indian Super League season, the other were one step away from a continental medal.

Mumbai City FC and Bengaluru FC meet at Federation Cup champion’s home today and this is certainly a clash guaranteed to be a classic. This is Bengaluru’s first appearance at ISL and one of the attractions that got them to ISL is the coveted AFC Cup spot; a championship where they won many hearts when they bagged runners up place a season ago. Mumbai City FC, in their third season, reached the peak of their performance when topped the table.

Alexandre Guimaraes, handed charge of the team once again after a good last season, has retained some of the key players like Goian, one who, surely was, the best defenders and part of the best defence as well. Bengaluru FC have Sunil Chhetri, who has been a magic charm for the Blues in his fourth season with the club. And there is the first of the many battles you will see tonight. One of the meanest defences against a stalwart who is tough to keep at bay.

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Amrinder Singh and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. Two solid goal jammers. How do one make their way past these extremely agile goalkeepers. The mids consisting of players like Lenny, Khabra, well known in the Indian scene can be very useful in containing a strong attack. Retained foreigners Juanan and Johnson very well complete the team in midfield and defence. Udanta adds serious pace to the attack and could see somebody like Sehnaj Singh assigned to neutralise him.

Also read: TEAM TRACKER: Mumbai City FC may not look explosive but has a balanced squad

Mumbai City FC have Amrinder guarding the goal and beating him is never too easy. Goian with with the experienced Wadoo, Khongjee, Rozario and retained Viera. If Bengaluru FC have Udanta, Mumbai City FC have Ruidas to fire up the flanks. Sahil Tavora, Raju Gaikwad are well versed with the ISL and will combine well with the foreigners. Balwant Singh will miss this one as he is recovering from an injury. Everton Santos, Rafa Jorda, Emana, Thiago Santos are all expected to chip in and get in assists and goals.

It is a tough game to see any team to be an outright winner. Well balanced sides often cannot be broken down easily and even if they do, fighting spirit is part of the team’s character.

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