BAMBOLIM: Bengaluru FC will be desperate to snap a three-game losing streak when they take on ATK Mohun Bagan who will themselves aim to reserve a dry run, when the two arch-rivals meet in the Indian Super League (ISL) clash at the Athletic Stadium, here on Thursday.
The Blues haven’t won their last three games and have so far bagged just one victory in six matches, languishing at ninth place in the 11-team points table with four points to show for. The former champions leaked 10 goals in their 5-game winless streak, laying bare a porous defence that has overall shipped 12 goals in six matches, making it their worst ever goals conceded tally in the league. The club have kept zero clean sheets in their last 10 games, conceding 21 goals in the process, showing India’s No. 1 goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in poor light too as the tall custodian has been guilty of making mistakes under the bar.
The Marco Pezzaiuoli-coached team haven’t clicked as a unit with their foreign signings also not showing that extra spark barring Cleiton Silva and Prince Ibara to some extent. Brazilian forward Silva has been the only ray of light in Bengaluru FC’s disappointing start to the season. He has scored three goals and an assist so far in Hero ISL 21-22. Silva has also created 11 goalscoring opportunities in Hero ISL 21-22, the highest among Bengaluru FC players. Sunil Chhetri has also been off colour and the Indian football icon will look to end his barren run in front of goal.
It has not been smooth sailing for ATK Mohun Bagan also. The finalists of last season have conceded eight goals so far, including five in one game against league leaders Mumbai City FC. Antonio Lopez Habas’s charges are sixth in the table with seven points from five games. A win will take them into the top four but for that they need their key players firing on all cylinders.
