AFC Cup 2021 campaign a mixed bag for Bengaluru FC

The Blues could win just one game, but they also scored the most goals in Group D alongside ATK Mohun Bagan.

Bengaluru FC were knocked out of the AFC Cup 2021 despite winning their final group game comfortably 6-2 against Maziya S&RC. The Indian Super League (ISL) outfit's lacklustre performances for the better part of their campaign cost them a place in the next round.

The Blues lost their opening clash to ATK Mohun Bagan by a 2-0 scoreline, before being held to a goalless draw by Bshundhara Kings. They then won their third and final group stage match against Maziya. Overall, they scored six goals, conceded four times and took four points (one draw, one win) from three games.

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In this piece, Khel Now conducts an in-depth review of the team’s performances in the group stages:

Results

Bengaluru FC were paired alongside compatriots ATK Mohun Bagan, Bangladeshi side Bashundhara Kings and Maldives-based Maziya S&RC. It was Maziya who knocked the Blues out in the last edition of the same tournament. 

In their opening game against ATK Mohun Bagan, a listless display prevented them from exercising any sort of control. Goals from Roy Krishna and Subhasish Bose gave the Kolkata club a comfortable 2-0 win.

A similar performance followed in the first half of their second match against Bashundhara Kings. However, Bengaluru FC came out all guns blazing in the second 45 and that showed a lot of promise. However, their domination did not convert to goals and the clash ended goalless. This meant that Marco Pezzaiuoli and Co. had a dead rubber contest against Maziya.

Despite getting knocked out, BFC managed to end their AFC Cup 2021 campaign on a high, destroying Maziya 6-2 in an exciting game. 

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Positives

The biggest positive for the team is their performance in the final game and in the second half of their second game against Bashundhara Kings. Bengaluru FC clicked as a unit, tried to take the game to the opponents and attacked with more intent. 

BFC did not have an attacking performance as good as this under their old coach Carles Cuadrat. This is hence good, but there is still plenty of work to be done.

Areas To Improve

In games against opponents of similar or higher quality, BFC lacked the impetus, attacking without any intent. Lack of ball retention, proper decision-making and precision in the final third are some things that need to be fixed soon.

Further, the midfield still lacks bite and their pressing can also be improved.

Best Performer

The best performer across these games for Bengaluru FC has to be Suresh Wangjam, who continues to impress massively. He was vital in the Blues' attacking transitions and proved to be a threat in all the three games. 

Cleiton Silva also had a great tournament as movement and work-rate was invaluable for Marco Pezzaiuoli's system at the former ISL champions.

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Coach's Notes

Bengaluru FC, under their new coach Marco Pezzaiuoli, played a 4-3-3 formation with the full-backs staying wide, centre-backs close to each other and two central midfielders dropping deep. On-paper, this setup looks compact and slightly narrow.

From a possession-based perspective, BFC’s build-up play improved in the defensive and middle third. But, a lot needs to be done to address the struggles the team are having in the attacking department. 

First Game

In their first game against ATK Mohun Bagan which they lost 2-0, BFC came up against a 3-5-2 formation against ATK Mohun Bagan, who had a better technical player in Hugo Boumous and the experienced Lenny Rodrigues. In this game, the Blues were no match individually for the ATKMB midfielders. Their mid-low block worked decently, but it looked far from solid. Hugo Boumous, in particular, wreaked havoc as his technique and quality proved too hot to handle. 

Despite having the majority of the ball after Roy Krishna’s 39th minute goal, Bengaluru FC looked passive and overly cautious. With two midfielders (Jayesh Rane and Ajay Chhetri) dropping deep and Suresh Singh Wangjam tasked with pushing the ball high up during transitions, BFC lacked precision and numbers in the final third. With Sunil Chhetri cutting in on the left, much was desired from Udanta Singh, whose one-dimensional game was nullified by ATKMB. Despite not scoring, Cleiton Silva had a good game by dropping deep and working his socks off.

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BFC introduced former Real Kashmir star Danish Farooq in the second half as a holding midfielder, despite Farooq being a left-sided wide player. This was done in the hope that his driving runs can aid in ball progression and make the team more vertical, but this meant they lost defensive solidity. The additions of Bidyashagar Singh and Ajit Kumar added more energy and intent, but ATKMB’s defence-first approach in the second half ensured a comfortable win.

Second Game

In their second game against Bashundhara Kings a similar pattern followed, as the Kings looked toothless in attack and fragile in defence. Brazilian duo Jonathan Fernandes and Robinho, playing on the right and left wing respectively, proved too much for BFC as the Kings dominated the first half.

The Blues were pinned back and always had 10 men behind the ball, as the Brazilian duo made life difficult for them. But, what we saw in the second half of the same game was remarkably different. Slick passing combinations, entering the attacking third, moving the ball with purpose and into danger zones, retaining the ball under pressure, create chances. BFC did it all, but they had no goals to show for it. Bidyashagar was once again lively as Marco Pezzaiuoli and his boys dominated the Kings.

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Third Game

Having nothing to play for in the final third game, BFC managed to put up a stellar show against a Maziya side that looked a pale shadow of themselves from the last time.  Bidyashagar got his first goals for the club, scoring twice after coming on from the bench. Udanta Singh, Cleiton Silva, Sivasakthi Narayanan and Leon Augustine also got their own names on the scoresheet. 

Bengaluru FC played a 4-3-3 as expected and this performance resembled their encouraging second half display against Bashundhara Kings.

What's Next

BFC head into the new season of the Indian Super League with the bare minimum expectations of reaching the playoffs. They already have the tools to do it. It will be interesting to see how they fill up their Asian player slot as adding a good, competitive midfielder would improve the team massively.

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