Chennaiyin FC vs Bengaluru FC - 4 things we learned | ISL 2020-21
Bengaluru FC picked up their first win of the season as well as the bragging rights in a South Indian Derby with a slender 1-0 victory over Chennaiyin FC. Aashique Kuruniyan won the penalty that was eventually converted by BFC skipper Sunil Chhetri. Despite coming close to scoring on several occasions, Carles Cuadrat's men managed to hang on to claim their first three points of the season.
Despite the positive result, Bengaluru FC were anything but convincing in their performance. Neither Deshorn Brown nor Kristian Opseth managed to contribute to the Blues' cause, with some of the best chances coming from the likes of Dimas Delgado, Juanan, and Rahul Bheke.
Chennaiyin FC, on the other hand, have not been able to score in the last two matches they have played in the 2020/21 Indian Super League. This is a concern for Csaba Laszlo. He will look to change things around for Chennaiyin FC's next game against Mumbai City FC on Wednesday.
As far as Carles Cuadrat is concerned, he will hope that the win will garner momentum for the club as they face a resolute NorthEast United FC next.
That said, let's take a look at four things we learned from the match between Bengaluru FC and Chennaiyin FC.
#1 Attacking problems remain for Bengaluru FC
Since the departure of Venezuelan striker Miku, Bengaluru FC have had issues with their number nine striker. Manuel Onwu, Deshorn Brown, Kevaughn Frater, and several others auditioned for the role, but to no avail. Having retained Deshorn Brown and signed Kristian Opseth from the A-League, Cuadrat hoped that there would be more goals in the new season.
However, the game against Chennaiyin FC witnessed the Blues playing virtually with 10 men on the pitch. Neither Brown nor Opseth managed to contribute to the team's cause. The best chances came from the likes of Rahul Bheke as his header was saved by Vishal Kaith. Dimas Delgado and Erik Paartalu came close to scoring as well, with long-range efforts close to the target.
Cuadrat will have a lot of work to do in the attacking department ahead of the match with NorthEast United FC.
#2 Gurpreet Singh Sandhu underlines his credentials once again
As if it required any reinforcement, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is the best goalkeeper in the Indian Super League by a country mile. Having helped his side escape with a draw in the last game, the lanky goalkeeper made several key saves including an effort from Rahim Ali. This is the second clean sheet the Bengaluru FC custodian has managed to keep this season.
#3 Dimas Delgado key to Bengaluru FC's chances
In the first two games of the 2020-21 ISL season, Dimas Delgado had been used as a second-half substitute in a bid to reinforce things defensively. Dimas had little time to make an impact, something that prompted Cuadrat to play him from the start.
With Fran Gonzalez and Udanta Singh missing out, Dimas reprised his role as the 'Midfield Magician' and was the main orchestrator from the start. He had a hand to play in the Bengaluru FC managing to keep a clean sheet, in addition to assisting in set-pieces.
#4 Chennaiyin FC's overdependence on Isma Goncalves
Chennaiyin FC striker Isma Goncalves has been in top form since signing for the club at the start of the season. However, the 29-year-old did not have the same impact in the last two games as he did against Jamshedpur FC. Rahim Ali came close while club captain Fatkhullo Fathkhuloev came off the bench a bit too late to make any sort of impact.
Csaba Laszlo will hope that his strikers can find goals consistently as Chennaiyin FC face off against a strong and confident Mumbai City FC on Wednesday.