Bengaluru FC hunt goals against stubborn Punjab FC

Bengaluru: Bengaluru FC should be licking their lips as they host Punjab FC in their third consecutive home match of the Indian Super League season at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on Friday. 

Facing a Punjab side that looked unconvincing in their opening outing against Jamshedpur FC in a 0-1 defeat, BFC couldn't have asked for a better respite after an entertaining yet hard-fought draw against a super-charged NorthEast United FC who revealed chinks in BFC's armour.

Their Friday's rivals lack the similar firepower as the Chandigarh-based physical outfit, coached by Greek Panagiotis Dilmperis, is devoid of any domestic or foreign big names up front. Their Nigerian striker Effiong Nsungusi had a quiet debut and looked largely isolated in a packed formation as coach Dilmperis likes to keep his midfield and defensive lines close in a park-the-bus attitude.

This makes it crucial for BFC's attack to capitalise the early minutes of the match when the crowd is roaring at the top of its voice and the defence is unsettled. Skilful wide forwards like Ashique Kuruniyan and Ryan Williams -- backed by their overlapping national team fullbacks Nikhil Poojari and Roshan Singh -- are capable of providing that impetus. 

However, a question mark remains over the finishing quality with their club's ageing stalwart Sunil Chhetri accepting the fringe player role. Youngster N Sivasakthi has been entrusted with filling those big shoes but his limited technical skills have not impressed many, irrespective of the fact that he tapped in the club's opening goal of the season in a 2-0 win over SC Delhi.

Coach Renedy, however, is a fan of Siva's off-the-ball work and feels the 24-year-old striker is a right fit for his "attack as a team and defend as a team" approach.

Defending as a team will be crucial too as the coach also stated that their leading defender Rahul Bheke is uncertain less than 24 hours from the kick-off after a knee injury that forced him to miss the NEUFC match as well.

His absence was telling as BFC's defense looked shaky, especially in set-piece situations, while debutant Takhellambam Bungson Singh paired up with Chinglensana Singh as centre back.

This points at the need to stabilise the defence and lone defensive midfielder Lalremtluanga Fanai, who has looked convincing in the role for a 21-year-old, would have to stay closer to the two CBs in order to provide that extra cover.

Saying that, it won't be wrong to bill BFC as big favourites, especially as the former champions and last year's runners-up. However, if they want to pose a strong challenge to the title early in the season, a statement win on the night will send that signal to Mohun Bagan and East Bengal who sit at the top with back-to-back facile victories.