JOIN USBengaluru FC square off against FC Pune City in their Indian Super League clash that has all the indications of an intriguing battle here on Thursday.
Bengaluru have got the season off to a superb start but coach Albert Roca believes that it is games against sides like Pune that will test the Blues' resolve to stay on the top of the table.
"It's really early in the season but you can tell that Pune are a serious contender for a play-off spot. There are three other teams with the same points as us and Pune is one of them. Thursday is going to test us and we have to be prepared on the task at hand."
Bengaluru were made to toil hard before they came away with all points against NorthEast United in Guwahati last week and Roca feels his side can take a lot of confidence from the night. "We had to work really hard for those three points and while it wasn't free-flowing and comfortable, it said a lot about what the team is capable of in different situations and away from home," said Roca.
Ranko Popovic-coached Pune too come into the tie with a win away from home when they edged past Jamshedpur FC 1-0 to move to nine points from five games. Pune's attacking duo of Marcelinho and Emiliano Alfaro have been among the goals (six between them) and it will need another display of stubborn defending if the Blues are to keep them at bay.
BFC goalkeeper Lalthuammawia Ralte who had a fantastic game against North East will start in goal as Gurpreet Singh Sandhu continues to serve the second of his two-game suspension.
Roca had two more changes in Dimas Delgado and Subhasish Bose for Lenny Rodrigues and Juanan Gonzalez and it is to be seen whether the Spaniard tinkers with the line-up.