Goal: BFC would wish to clinch all three factors after three successive attracts within the league.
| Photo Credit: X@bengalurufc
Bengaluru FC will hope to finish its barren five-match winless run within the 2023-24 Indian Super League when it welcomes Mumbai City FC to the Sree Kanteerava Stadium right here on Friday.
Simon Grayson’s aspect lies within the backside half of the desk, with simply seven factors from eight matches. It is coming into the tie on the again of three successive attracts, the longest streak in its ISL historical past. Another outing with out three full factors is not going to be best.
To keep away from that, BFC must be higher than it was against Punjab FC, the place a disastrous first half practically value the outfit the competition (3-3 draw). Mumbai City could not have performed within the ISL for over a month and will have misplaced its League-winning coach Des Buckingham to English aspect Oxford United, however it’s a formidable workforce that’s but to lose within the league this season.
“About Des leaving — it won’t be different than how it was when he was in charge,” Grayson mentioned forward of the sport.
“Because they have a way of playing and the rest of the coaching staff is still in place. We know what to expect, the strengths and weaknesses of them.”
Mumbai City spent the final month enjoying within the AFC Champions League. Though it misplaced all matches, the expertise of competing within the top-tier of Asian soccer will definitely go away the membership richer.
“Resuming ISL is something that we are looking forward to,” mentioned Anthony Fernandes, Mumbai City’s assistant coach. “The team is very well prepared for an away game. Since we had an ACL game four days back, it is more about recovery and rest.”
On its half, BFC can draw inspiration from its current reminiscence of outlasting Mumbai City thrice on the bounce final season, together with the all-important second leg of the semifinal. A fourth straight success can resurrect its marketing campaign.
