JOIN USBengaluru FC, looking to preserve their unbeaten run in the Indian Super League, will again battle it out with a team placed second on the table at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on Sunday.
Carles Cuadrat's side will host Mumbai City FC, who have stitched together an unbeaten streak of six games. Bengaluru are three points ahead of Mumbai, with Jorge Costa's men having played one game more.
"It is a challenge to face teams that are placed second, but it is one we are looking forward to," Cuadrat said. "Every team comes here with the intention to win and it makes for an exciting contest. We are taking it one game at a time and the plan is to tackle these home games and to do everything we can to reach the playoffs,” the Spaniard added.
A stunning acrobatic effort from Chencho Gyeltshen in injury time saved Bengaluru from losing against NorthEast United FC in Guwahati. Many labelled the draw as a stroke of luck for the Blues. A random tweet even quoted Cuadrat saying 'we were lucky'. That hasn't gone down well with the BFC coach.
"I read a tweet a few days ago where I was quoted as saying that we were lucky. This is not true. I have not said that," Cuadrat said. "The truth is we have been working very hard to get to these crucial moments. Behind those moments there is a lot of hard work, and there is a plan. We want to attack till the last moment of each game," he added.
Chencho's return to form is a massive boost for BFC, who have struggled for goals in the last few games in the absence of striker Miku. "Chencho is a good player, who is young and learning every day. With experience, and with minutes on the pitch he will get bigger and make more of an impact," Cuadrat said.
Mumbai outplayed defending champions Chennaiyin FC 2-0 in their last game to move to second place. But Bengaluru at home presents a different challenge. Costa is aware of the task at hand. "It will be a difficult game but we are treating it as just another game. I am sure Bengaluru are doing the same," Costa said.
Costa will bank on the attacking pair of Modou Sougou and Rafael Bastos for the goals. The duo has found the back of the net six times this season.
"I want to go back home with three points I think that we can win," the Mumbai coach said.
DH News Service