Indian Super League 2020-21: Five things we learned in Gameweek 4

The week’s action saw a lot of important talking points come up.

Indian Super League 2020-21 is in full flow now and the football on display keeps getting better with every passing fixture. The fourth round of matches had a lot to offer and delivered the entertainment factor.

There were some expected winners and a few upsets, while some matches were evenly-contested. From SC East Bengal continuing their losing streak, ATK Mohun Bagan tasting defeat for the first time and Kerala Blasters remaining winless to Bengaluru FC showing the capability to grind out results, the week’s action had it all. 

Keeping in mind all the results and their consequences on the larger picture, here are the five things learnt from the Indian Super League Gameweek 4:

5. New coach, same problems for Chennaiyin FC

Chennaiyin FC have blown hot and cold in the early stages of the season. The defeat to Bengaluru FC perfectly summarises their inconsistent start to the campaign. The club have continued to change coaches over the years and clearly look like an unsettled unit.

Csaba Laszlo has been rigid in team selection as well. A lot of eyebrows were raised when a player like Isma, who is an established striker, was played on the wing. The recruitment has been shoddy over a period of time too.

Apart from Anirudh Thapa and Lallianzuala Chhangte, there aren’t any other star Indian players who can hold their own alongside the foreigners. The team struggled to score goals in the early part of last season and the same sequence of events is repeating itself this term.

https://youtu.be/men1E8UR6hg

4. Keeping key men fit – biggest challenge for well-oiled NorthEast United

Against popular opinion, NorthEast United have started their season on a positive note. The club were not strong on paper, in terms of experienced players or established Indian talents on the roster. Despite all of that, NEUFC have remained undefeated.

The Highlanders won their most recent game against SC East Bengal convincingly with a scoreline of 2-0. The secret to their success has been the team playing as a unit and experienced players performing well when required.

Leading by example is centre-back Benjamin Lambot, who has been rock-solid so far. The challenge for Gerard Nus is to keep his key players like Lambot, Khassa Camara, Dylan Fox and Kwesi Appiah fit and firing to carry their strong start forward.

3. Odisha need first XI on the pitch to be competitive

Odisha FC have found themselves chasing in all of the four games they have played in the season so far. They are fast becoming an outfit that only wakes up after a scolding from the coach or a substitution or two.

Stuart Baxter has had to deal with a reduced choice of players for the starting XI. The likes of Indian winger Jerry Mawihmingthanga and Aussie defender Jacob Tratt have not been able to feature consistently at the start of the term. As a result, the Juggernauts have lacked serious quality in the final third and even stability at the back. 

Having one of the most underperforming attacks automatically translates into the defence coming under pressure and goals being conceded. OFC need to play with more confidence and to compete against the best in the league, they need their strongest XI to take the park in every game. 

2. Kerala Blasters – right approach, wrong players

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y606AatmTug

Kerala Blasters succumbed to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of FC Goa in a dominant display from the Gaurs. This left the Yellow Army reeling in ninth place and one of three teams yet to win their first game of the term.

The problem at KBFC is not the lack of a gameplan by the coach, but rather the incapability of the players to execute his demands. Kibu Vicuna has laid a good foundation and aims to play the ball from the back, but the team lacks serious cohesion and creativity in the final third to turn the possession into scoring opportunities.

Losing their influential skipper Sergio Cidoncha will only further expose the lack of creative options in the team. Gary Hooper is more of a poacher who does not participate in build-up play or like to track back. Therefore, he is perhaps not the right striker for this approach. With that said, Kibu Viucna should consider giving his other forward option Jordan Murray a run of games.

The decision to drop Sahal Abdul Samad for the last game was the right one, but that Rohit Kumar was slotted into midfield, shows the lack of depth in the Blasters’ Indian ranks.  

1. Chinks in ATKMB’s armour exposed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEToave2_lY

ATKMB surprisingly lost their first game of the season, despite being favourites to win against a struggling Jamshedpur FC side. The Men of Steel came out 2-1 victors on the night and became the first outfit to score against Antonio Habas’ men. 

It was a shock for ATKMB’s supporters and neutrals alike, as the side went down 2-0, thanks to a brace from Nerijus Valskis. For the first time, their defence looked shaky and unable to prevent the in-form striker from scoring. 

Lack of marking and being standstill during set-pieces was pretty evident by their defenders. This is probably a weakness in their defence that other teams would have noticed and would aim to exploit in games to come.