Preview: Bengaluru FC look to drive home the advantage against Mumbai City FC

The Blues return to the Kanteerava with a one-goal lead secured against the Islanders in the away semi-final leg.

The Sree Kanteerava Stadium will play host to the second leg of a tantalizingly poised semi-final clash between Bengaluru FC and Mumbai City FC. Simon Grayson's men have won their last ten on the trot, and the Shield Winners are hunting for a place in their second final in three years.

Chhetri's header was the clinching factor in the Mumbai Football Arena, and the Blues' quick getaways on the counter made them a real threat toward the end of the match. The Islanders began on the front foot, but the well-drilled Bengaluru backline were up to the task. Here is the preview ahead of the second leg.

The Stakes

Sunil Chhetri's header from Naorem Roshan Singh's corner gave the Blues the lead after their defence had stifled free-scoring Mumbai for 78 minutes. They will look to hold on to that lead and bank on counter-attacks as their route to the goal. They will want to play in the finals for the first time since their 2018-19 trophy-winning season.

Mumbai City are eyeing the double and wading into uncharted territory. They will look to go all guns blazing from the get-go and force Bengaluru into a defensive block. An early goal can turn the tide. Des Buckingham's men lost their unbeaten tag in the same venue, so will want to give Bengaluru a taste of their own medicine.

Team News

Simon Grayson has a fully fit squad, with Alan Costa having returned to training. Mumbai have three players on a yellow card from the first leg, namely Mourtada Fall, Ahmed Jahouh, and Jorge Pereyra Diaz.

Probable lineups

Bengaluru FC (5-3-2)

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Prabir Das, Bruno Ramires, Sandesh Jhingan, Aleksandar Jovanovic, Naorem Roshan Singh, Suresh Wangjam, Rohit Kumar, Javi Hernandez, Roy Krishna, Sunil Chhetri (c)

Mumbai City FC (4-2-3-1)

Phurba Lachenpa, Rahul Bheke, Mourtada Fall, Mehtab Singh, Vignesh Dakshinamurthy, Lalengmawia Ralte, Ahmed Jahouh, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Greg Stewart, Bipin Singh, Jorge Pereyra Diaz

Head-to-head

The two teams have locked horns 13 times prior to this game.

MCFC wins: 6

BFC wins: 6

Draws: 1

Players to watch

Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC)

Bengaluru FC's skipper has led from the front in recent fixtures, scoring three goals in the last four games. He has rediscovered his predatory instincts from set-pieces and has feasted off some good deliveries into the box. Chhetri has linked well with Javi Hernandez and Roy Krishna with telepathic one-touch passing at the end of counterattacks. That combination play will be vital to Bengaluru FC's success.

Greg Stewart (Mumbai City FC)

Last time out when the two sides met at the Kanteerava, Greg Stewart hobbled off with an ankle niggle. He was back to his instrumental best in the first leg, creating chances by feeding accurately measured through balls into the box and the wide channels. Greg will use his movement and positioning to full effect, attempting to stretch the Bengaluru defenders out of position.

Did you know?

• Bengaluru’s 4-0 defeat against Mumbai is their joint-highest in terms of goal difference.
• BFC’s record in ISL semi-finals: Played 4, won 3, lost 1
• MCFC’s record in ISL semi-finals: Played 4, won 1, lost 3
• Vignesh Dakshinamurthy comes from Bengaluru's Ozone FC academy

Telecast

The match between Mumbai City FC and Bengaluru FC will take place at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on March 12th. The kick-off time is 7:30 pm IST. The game will telecast live on the Star Sports Network. Disney+HotStar and JioTV will also stream the match.