Amrinder in a familiar zone in Bengaluru

Amrinder Singh has only good things to say about Bengaluru and Bengaluru FC. And why not? The Punjab player was with BFC for two years, won the I-League and the Federation Cup during his time and was also a part of their historic AFC Cup run.

"Those have been the best days of my career so far. I felt at home," he says speaking to DH while waiting to board his Bengaluru-bound flight at the Mumbai airport. But this time, there's a slight difference. The talented goalkeeper is no longer a Bengaluru player, and on Sunday he will line up against his former side when Bengaluru FC host Mumbai City FC in their first-ever tie.

But despite his past links with the club, Amrinder doesn't shy away from making his intentions for Sunday clear. "I am somewhat happy that I will be beginning my season against Bengaluru FC," he says. "I have a lot of friends in that team. But on the field there will be no friends, off it, we are what we have been so far."

Talking a bit more about the game on Sunday, Amrinder believes his side is better prepared than any other side. "If you look at it, we are the only side to retain our coach. So this time, Alexandre (Guimares) has had enough time to build a team that he wants. Last year, he had to work with the players that were given to him, but this time he could get the ones he wanted. I think, that's a positive aspect of our side," he explains.

"Moreover, we were in Spain and the pre-season has gone well. We played some really good sides. Unlike in the past were we had to make do with the sides who were available this year we could go ahead with what we planned and ended playing some good sides. I think, that experience will help us in the ISL too."