Bengaluru FC came home after a loss against SC East Bengal by 0-1 on a star-studded night in Fatorda Stadium, Margao in the thrilling contest of the Indian Super League.
Coming with a positive vibe and rejuvenated SC East Bengal is gradually gaining momentum after managing 5 consecutive undefeated encounters in the league. Red and Gold Brigade are still at the 9th position with 10 points to their name in 10 matches.
The Blues have gone bad to worse with 4 defeats back to back and against East Bengal being the latest one. Bengaluru still lurking in the mid of the table by holding the 6th spot with 12 points in 10 matches but Chennaiyin FC may take their spot who is sitting at the 8th spot with a game in hand and just 2 points behind the blues.
BENGALURU FC 0-1 SC EAST BENGAL: TEAM NEWS
With a 4-3-3 formation, Blues came to the field making few changes in the formation and starting XI as well. Learning from their past defeat and with the optimistic approach of new interim manager Naushad Moosa made 2 changes in defense adding Parag Satish Shrivas and Ajith Kumar while making a place for Erik Paartalu in the heart of the midfield. The forward line saw the addition of young Udanta Kumam Singh on the flank.
Robbie Fowler came up with an idea for more attacking play after experimenting it against FC Goa and a little change in the formation. Keeping a structure of 3-5-2, the only addition to the team was Jacques Maghoma in the front line replacing Aron Amadi –Holloway.
BENGALURU FC 0-1 SC EAST BENGAL: MATCH ANALYSIS
Matti Steinmann scoring an early goal on a beautiful low cross by Narayan Das from the left flank in the 20th minute of the game. Red and Gold Brigade came with an attacking approach from the start of the game and were continuously putting pressure on the Blues.
Newcomers Ankit Mukherjee and Narayan Das have given a new dimension to the team In both ways (defense and attack)while Bright Enobakhare has become their talisman and all three of them making the opposition uncomfortable all the time. Bright had 2 clear chances to seal the game in the second half but stopped by the excellent saves of in-form Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
In the first half, everything was going as per the plans of Moosa except the goal and Sunil Chettri was trying to equalize with others but didn’t have any clear chances. Later in the second half, Chhetri and the co came with more determination. Bringing Kristian Opseth and Pratik Chaudhari in place of Udanta Singh and Parag Satish transformed blues into the more attacking team and continuously making Debjit Majumdar uncomfortable but Debjit responding with an equal level of saves.
After seeing Blues getting on the nerves and forming link-up plays, Red and Gold Brigade made two changes by replacing Steinmann and Harmanpreet by Amadi-Holloway and Rafique to bring balance in their game.
Both the keepers had a busy day at work and spent 90 minutes on their toes. Debjit Majumdar taking all the limelight but Gurpreet Singh was equally brilliant making important saves except the early goal conceded.
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu: Burning his sweat for the Blues and staying alert in front of the goal. The Blues could have gone 0-3 or 0-4 down but Sandhu was at his brilliant best but the only goal conceded being the dark spot on his performance.
Debjit Majumdar: The hero of the match, made sure that Bengaluru will be going empty-handed. Whether it was Sunil Chettri or Opseth, no-one was allowed to break Majumdar. Let it be set piece or open play but Debjit showed quickness and reflexes from the Red and Gold Brigade.
In the next round of matches, Bengaluru FC will be facing Northeast United while SC East Bengal will have an encounter with Kerela Blasters.
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