Bengaluru FC will look to put first defeat behind it

Will be up against an NEUFC side fresh from a victory against Chennaiyin

Bengaluru FC will be eager to put things right after suffering a first loss of the ISL season in Mumbai.

That narrow defeat put an end to a proud 11-game unbeaten streak, and BFC will be disappointed that it was beaten by a single counter-attack when it dominated possession and created a number of chances.

There will be little rest for Carles Cuadrat’s men, though, as they prepare to face NorthEast United at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on Wednesday.

“It’s nice to talk about unbeaten records but we have to realistic,” the BFC head coach said on the eve of the game. “We’re fighting for the title. You never remember the records later.”

Miku still missing

BFC will continue to be without the services of Miku, who is expected to be ready in time for Saturday’s trip to Chennai.

The Venezuelan striker’s absence has clearly hurt the side, for it is not just his goals that are missed but also his fine link-up play.

His return cannot come soon enough for BFC, which will be wary of overworking Sunil Chhetri and Udanta Singh, both of whom were an integral part of India’s Asian Cup campaign. “Sunil and Udanta are not fresh but it’s normal,” said Cuadrat. “They haven’t had a break while the others have. We don’t have to worry. They will be back to full fitness in a while.”

NorthEast sits third on the table, four points behind BFC (27), and is fresh off victory over Chennaiyin FC. That win was achieved with the help of an 87th minute strike from Bartholomew Ogbeche, who with 10 goals is the league’s joint-top-scorer.

The result would have come as a relief, for it was the first triumph in five games.

Close contest

When NorthEast and BFC last met, in Guwahati in December, the away side scored a late equaliser to snatch a draw.

This contest is expected to be equally close. “We should have won that game,” smiled Eelco Schattorie, the NorthEast head coach, here on Tuesday. “We would’ve been the first team to beat BFC this season.”

The Dutchman dismissed any talk of BFC being low on confidence after Sunday’s loss.

“They shouldn’t be too worried,” he said. “They’re the only club in India that’s this well-organised.”

NorthEast may seem overly reliant on Ogbeche and Federico Gallego, but Schattorie had no issues with that.

“Yes, we depend on them, but there’s nothing I can do,” he said. “As long as they keep scoring, it’s fine.”