Confident Pune take on formidable BFC

Image
Press Trust of India Bengaluru
Last Updated : Feb 15 2018 | 3:41 PM IST
With an aim to consolidate their chances of making it to the play-offs, Pune City FC will come out all guns blazing against hosts Bengaluru FC in an Indian Super League encounter, here tomorrow.
Bengaluru are already through to the play-offs as they became the first team to qualify in this year's cash-rich league. The hosts still have three matches to play.
The formidable 'Blues' sit comfortably on top of the points table with 33 points having registered 11 wins from 15 games.
Pune have more than one foot in semi-finals but with 28 points and three matches in hand, they will not take their place for granted, though they are perched second on the points table.
Pune have never qualified for semi-finals since ISL's inception in 2014, but with Jamshedpur FC (25 points), Chennaiyin FC (24 points), Kerala Blasters (21 points) and FC Goa (20 points) all breathing down their neck, they cannot afford to take their foot off the pedal.
Bengaluru will look to continue their winning momentum but will surely test their bench strength.
Head Coach Albert Roca may field Spanish midfielders Toni Dovale, Dimas Delgado and Edu Garcia, like he did in the last match against FC Goa.
Roca could also employ Nishu Kumar, who would like to provide the much-needed ammo to increase the pace along the flanks and breach Pune's defence, if a chance comes his way.
Bengaluru have won their last five matches on trot. They are also leading goal-scoring team, having found the rivals' nets on 30 occasions.
Miku and Indian captain Sunil Chhetri have been revelations in this ISL so far. The Spaniard has scored 11 goals and Chhetri scored nine.
Pune have been in good form. Star striker Marcelinho, who is fourth top goal-scorer with eight goals, has been in scintillating form.
Emiliano Alfaro and Diego Carlos have been effective in playing their role to get goals for Pune, who have scored 27 goals in the league.
Midfielders Baljit Sahni, Issac, Vanmalsawma, Jonathan Lucca and new recruit Marko Stankovic have all put in impressive performances so far this season.
Pune's defence also has been good with Adil Khan, Gurtej Singh, Rafael Lopez and Sahil Panwar, firing on all cylinders.
Goalkeeper Vishal Keith has been in fine form and has proved to be a very hard nut to crack.

Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content

*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Feb 15 2018 | 3:41 PM IST

Next Story