Data check: Form favours FC Goa but Bengaluru possess psychological edge in ISL final
If there were two teams had had to make the Indian Super League finals taking the numbers in account, it had to be Bengaluru FC and FC Goa.
Separated by goal difference after finishing as the top two sides in the table, the two have been a force to reckon with. If last season’s attacking exploits were not enough, the Gaurs have netted a staggering tally of 42 goals.The Blues, led by the pragmatic Carles Cuadrat are second with 35 goals to their name. After that gut-wrenching night at Fatorda Stadium in 2015, where Chennaiyin’s Steven Mendoza shattered many Goan hearts, Sergio Lobera’s side now have a chance to write their name into the history books once again.
Bengaluru will have another shot at redemption, having lost a dramatic final last year a whisker despite topping the league table. With a shot at glory, both teams will be gunning for the coveted trophy, come Sunday.
Bengaluru FC
FC Goa
Goals
29
36
Wins
10
10
Draws
4
4
Losses
4
4
Clean sheets
6
8
Top scorer
Sunil Chhetri (9 goals)
Ferran Corominas (16 goals)
Highest assists
Xisco Hernandez (5)
Ferran Corominas (7)
Highest saves
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (59)
Mohammad Nawaz (35)
Highest passes
Dimas Delgado (1025)
Ahmed Jahouh (1394)
Highest interceptions
Rahul Bheke (24)
Ahmed Jahouh (33)
Style of play
With two Spanish masterminds having worked with Barcelona’s youth set-up before, Goa’s template has been the same from last season: Keep the ball, play out from the back and attack relentlessly. Lenny Rodrigues and Ahmed Jahouh’s midfield partnership has been influential for the Goans, and has helped them make use of the wide areas and create chances in the final third. That explains why no other side has scored more goals from crosses than Goa (16).
Similarly, Bengaluru like to dominate play in the middle of the park, where the likes of Xisco Hernandez and Dimas Delgado hold the key. With players technically good and confident on the ball, Cuadrat favours tweaking his formation depending on the opposition, and need of the situation.
Image credit: ISL
Both teams love to play on the front foot and getting that early goal has played a huge part in their victories. Goa have managed to win all their games this season after grabbing the opening goal while Bengaluru have ended up on the losing side only after being in a similar situation.ADVERTISEMENT
Psychological advantage for the Blues?
Bengaluru have already done the double over Goa this season and with the likes of Miku and Chhetri finding their rhythm at the right time, Sunday possesses the biggest test for the Goan defence, led by Mourtada Fall. Although the 2015 finallists may possess a stronger bench depth as compared to their counterparts, Cuadrat has smartly managed the workload of his key personnel towards the end of the season, which could have a telling impact in the final.
As for Lobera, Bengaluru are already favourites for the final. “I think after 180 minutes, whoever is in the final is because they deserve to be there,” the Spaniard said.
“Both teams have done well all through the season and in the final, we can show the supporters a great show and hopefully we can bring back the trophy. To be honest I am a very ambitious coach. I am still to recover from the [reverses] two games against Bengaluru and wanted to face them in the final. I consider Bengaluru as the favourite,” he added.
Pradhyum Reddy was the main reason why FCPC actually had a steady rise
He came in changed the formation, changed their approach brought in Robin Singh and gave them a steady rise from the disaster of Miguel Portugal.
Phil Brown came in and had everything set for him. He hardly changed any personal or style. I doubt he would have had the same success if he took over directly from Portugal.
Less than 8k people in stadium, sleepy football, old players, yep this definitely is the future of Indian football! Shit league should be dissolved, hasn't everyone lost enough money on this crap already?
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Data check: Form favours FC Goa but Bengaluru possess psychological edge in ISL final
If there were two teams had had to make the Indian Super League finals taking the numbers in account, it had to be Bengaluru FC and FC Goa.
Separated by goal difference after finishing as the top two sides in the table, the two have been a force to reckon with. If last season’s attacking exploits were not enough, the Gaurs have netted a staggering tally of 42 goals.The Blues, led by the pragmatic Carles Cuadrat are second with 35 goals to their name.
After that gut-wrenching night at Fatorda Stadium in 2015, where Chennaiyin’s Steven Mendoza shattered many Goan hearts, Sergio Lobera’s side now have a chance to write their name into the history books once again.
Bengaluru will have another shot at redemption, having lost a dramatic final last year a whisker despite topping the league table. With a shot at glory, both teams will be gunning for the coveted trophy, come Sunday.
Style of play
With two Spanish masterminds having worked with Barcelona’s youth set-up before, Goa’s template has been the same from last season: Keep the ball, play out from the back and attack relentlessly. Lenny Rodrigues and Ahmed Jahouh’s midfield partnership has been influential for the Goans, and has helped them make use of the wide areas and create chances in the final third. That explains why no other side has scored more goals from crosses than Goa (16).
Similarly, Bengaluru like to dominate play in the middle of the park, where the likes of Xisco Hernandez and Dimas Delgado hold the key. With players technically good and confident on the ball, Cuadrat favours tweaking his formation depending on the opposition, and need of the situation.
Both teams love to play on the front foot and getting that early goal has played a huge part in their victories. Goa have managed to win all their games this season after grabbing the opening goal while Bengaluru have ended up on the losing side only after being in a similar situation.ADVERTISEMENT
Psychological advantage for the Blues?
Bengaluru have already done the double over Goa this season and with the likes of Miku and Chhetri finding their rhythm at the right time, Sunday possesses the biggest test for the Goan defence, led by Mourtada Fall. Although the 2015 finallists may possess a stronger bench depth as compared to their counterparts, Cuadrat has smartly managed the workload of his key personnel towards the end of the season, which could have a telling impact in the final.
As for Lobera, Bengaluru are already favourites for the final. “I think after 180 minutes, whoever is in the final is because they deserve to be there,” the Spaniard said.
“Both teams have done well all through the season and in the final, we can show the supporters a great show and hopefully we can bring back the trophy. To be honest I am a very ambitious coach. I am still to recover from the [reverses] two games against Bengaluru and wanted to face them in the final. I consider Bengaluru as the favourite,” he added.
https://scroll.in/field/916759/data-check-form-favours-fc-goa-but-bengaluru-possess-psychological-edge-in-isl-final
He came in changed the formation, changed their approach brought in Robin Singh and gave them a steady rise from the disaster of Miguel Portugal.
Phil Brown came in and had everything set for him. He hardly changed any personal or style. I doubt he would have had the same success if he took over directly from Portugal.
There agent in milking money selling them their players and coaches.