Chennai test ahead for upbeat Bengaluru FC

Chennai: Chennai City FC have their task cut out for them when they take on defending champions Bengaluru FC at the Nehru Stadium here on Wednesday.
It’s been a tough season for Bengaluru who only this weekend ended their eight-match winless sequence with a 1-0 win over Minerva Punjab. Chennai, too, have had a woeful run of form of late and were denied three points on Sunday by a late equalizer from DSK Shivajians, leaving them at the ninth spot on the points table.

In a scenario where points are of paramount importance, Chennai have to punch above their weight and hope to beat their opponents. Coach V Soundararajan acknowledged as much and commented, “Bengaluru FC is one of the best sides and have experienced Indian internationals. It’s a golden chance for us to test ourselves against one of the best sides.”

“They are well organized. We need to go all out tomorrow to churn out the best possible result. It is an incentive to go and beat the best. So we will try and do that.”

Chennai City will be without the services of Raju Yumnam while Edwin Vanspaul is a doubt. The visitors, coming off a 1-0 win over Minerva Punjab that ended their seven-game winless streak, have been struggling to finish off the chances. Despite the run of form, head coach Albert Roca stressed that his philosophy of keeping the ball and building attacks from the back will really help India but his players need to adapt.

“My philosophy is one where the ball is more important. Building out from the back is paramount. This is not something very common here. Even if the result does not come, I can’t change. India has to understand this way. Indians are more like Spanish people. As they are not physically big, they need to be more tactical and technical. The better way for India to grow is by embracing this approach. It’s my humble opinion.”

Bengaluru will be without the services of Amrinder Singh and Arindam Bhattacharya is expected to continue between the sticks.