#TFGtake - Lessons from the loss to Mumbai that FC Goa can use to overcome Bengaluru FC

Thursday's clash between FC Bengaluru and FC Goa promises to be a humdinger with 2 of the best ball passing teams going head to head. FC Bengaluru at the top of the table with a 100% record will look to hold on to its place while FC Goa who came out from their last away encounter feeling hard done by will be looking forward to its 1st home tie with excitement given the fantastic fan support it has always enjoyed since the conception of the league. It also pits two Spanish Coaches who were schooled in similar ideologies and philosophies on how the game should be played influenced by their time at Barcelona.

Despite the loss to Mumbai, Lobera won’t look to change much, sticking to his vision of possession based football though I did like to point out that Mumbai’s coach Guimaraes did make some key adjustments by allowing Goa possession in their own half and looking to press them from the centre line besides packing the midfield and not over committing men forward so as not to be exposed on the counter. In my last 2 analysis including the warm game, I had flagged up FC Goa’s flank defense as an area of concern and in 3 moves through its right side, Mumbai were able to create clear openings with Balwant and Emana able to get behind the Right back. That the Goa’s defence were able to quell those moves with reactionary saves is a different matter but Lobera’s team will be best served in future games if they can tighten up the flanks to avoid these gaps from being exploited. 

As much as eye pleasing that ball possession and passing football is, it’s the ability to create scoring chances in the final third that matters most which is also another factor that I had mentioned in the opening piece. At one point, the ratio to possession was double in Goa’s favour but with exception of a Coro attempt on goal and Edu’s diagonal attempts to find an open man there were no clear cut goal scoring opportunities created in the first half.

With Brandon being rested as a precautionary, Goa missed a key player who offers a different dynamic with his attacking versatility and quick deceptive change in pace to be able to play through the middle or make runs on the left wing, dragging a marker away with him creating openings for his centre forward. Arana coming in place of Brandon did score the equaliser but prefers to play through the middle as much Coro does. Going in to the next game Lobera will need to get his forward line to run the channels more and use the wings to create more opportunities.

Touching on the 2 goals conceded won’t reflect well on either the flank defense or its goal keeper. This is something that needs to be rectified on the training ground as an immediate priority. Kattamani’s lack of awareness on receiving the back pass on Everton’s press for the goal was suicidal. The first touch and time taken was undesired while his standing position on the 2nd goal was also amateurish at best, leaving a gap between his legs as that was the only clear shot Santos had on the tight angle. Katti should have ideally been stood legs closed and hands down to knee level similar to the stance Man Utd’s De Gea applies when he find himself in 1 on 1 situations. Ali was equally culpable in allowing Santos skip past him. There is a possible trend setting in where opposition team allow Goa possession in the first passage and turn on the screws in the 2nd by ruthlessly pressing them. A false sense of security in enjoying a possession advantage shouldn’t be costly as it turned out in Katti’s case.

Having given as much analysis I can on FC Goa, here’s a scouting report on FC Bengaluru. And this is where I see a more complete team. As highlighted, they play a similar passing game to Goa, are also equally lethal on the counter attack having scored half their goals through them. As much Chhetri is known as a feared poacher, Coach Roca has wittingly used his precision passing on the counter. The left to right diagonal on two of their goals against Delhi was a complete treat to watch. Lobera will have to be mindful of that if Goa looses the ball then he will need to set his marker out on Chhetri by default. But that’s not even half done as Bengaluru are equally dangerous on set pieces with Edu Garcia’s beautiful delivery and 2 players in Paartalu and Rodrigues very strong in the air. Goa will have to defend well on corners. They have a more solid and reliable Goalkeeper in Gurpreet. 
In the grand of scheme of things, Goa can feel good looking back on its overall performances in its past 2 games but I rather see them develop a ruthless streak by doing away with any weaknesses. They will get better with more games but as much I would love to see my state team win, FC Bengaluru appears too strong on basis of their performances so far. But you never know, on the back of vociferous crowd and if Goa manages to score the first goal, it would change the whole complexion of the game.

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