Preview: ATKMB, Bengaluru FC lock horns in top clash

Both sides are looking for a win to keep their title dream alive.

ATK Mohun Bagan might have flexed their authority in the Indian Super League with an impresive win over FC Goa, but another formidable battle beckons for the Kolkata giants. An unbeaten BFC side is up next for ATKMB and Antonio Habas knows that his side will have to pull off yet another positive display to break the Blues’ streak.

It’ll be a stern battle between two of ISL’s strongest backlines, with teammates in the Indian national team turning foes on the day. It should be a cagey battle which will be decided by the finest of margins, but the side which is more clinical and mentally stronger should prevail on Monday.

The Stakes

ATK Mohun Bagan

The Mariners came back strongly into the ISL title race with the win over FC Goa, but in order to stay at the top, they need to keep winning games. It’s winning games against sturdy sides like Bengaluru FC which separate sides from being potential champions or just playoffs contenders.

Of course, ATKMB still need major improvements in their attacking style and need to be more clinical to get goals past the BFC defence. Nothing but perfection will be enough for Habas’ side to get the win on Monday. The Mariners must maintain that perfect balance between being ruthless in attack and unbreakable defensively to churn out the win and take a step closer into solidifying that top spot for themselves.

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Bengaluru FC

BFC aren’t one to back down against this formidable ATKMB side. The Blues are one of the two ISL sides who are still unbeaten in the competition and will want to maintain that unbeaten streak against the Mariners. Being put in a battle against their direct title rivals, the Blues will not be content with anything but a win. 

They might have started the season slowly, but the southerners are slowly starting to replicate the form which made them feared in the ISL. They need to maintain their gritty defensive shape to keep Roy Krishna & co quiet and also capitalize on whatever attacking opportunities they’re able to get in order to pick up vital points against the Kolkata giants.

Team News

ATK Mohun Bagan

Javi Hernandez could be back into the squad after his injury layoff. Michael Soosairaj remains the long-term injury absentee for ATK Mohun Bagan.

Bengaluru FC

Ashique Kuruniyan suffered a nasty injury in the win over Odisha FC and is expected to miss for an extended duration. Apart from that, the Blues have a fully fit squad.

Head To Head

This is the first time in ISL history when ATK Mohun Bagan will be facing Bengaluru FC in the ISL. However, as different entities, both ATK and Mohun Bagan had faced the Blues in their respective leagues, with the former playing against them in the ISL.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Oewd-kN6PI

ATK had faced Bengaluru FC on March 8, 2020, as they defeated them 3-1, courtesy of goals from Roy Krishna and David Williams, while Ashique Kuruniyan had scored the only goal for the Blues.

Predicted Lineups

ATK Mohun Bagan: Arindam (GK), Prabir, Kotal, Tiri, Jhingan, Subhashish, McHugh, Rane, Garcia, Williams, Krishna

Bengaluru FC: Gurpreet (GK), Khabra, Pratik, Juanan, Bheke, Paartalu, Suresh, Delgado, Chhetri, Opseth, Cleiton

Man To Watch

David Williams (ATK Mohun Bagan)

David Williams looks to be back to his best (at least fitness wise) and tormented FC Goa with his movement and link-up play in that other day. The Australian excels in big games and had a memorable game against Bengaluru FC as part of the erstwhile ATK last season, scoring a brilliant brace in the second leg of the playoffs. 

Williams' clever off-the-ball movement and unpredictability in the final third could break Bengaluru’s solid set-up and cause disruptions in their backline. The forward will be crucial towards opening up space for Krishna and also add that extra goal-scoring option for ATKMB if his partner-in-crime is tightly marked by BFC defenders.

Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC)

Many years ago, Sunil Chhetri had donned the Green & Maroons shirt but now plays against them as the Bengaluru FC captain. He will be key towards orchestrating all the good things about Bengaluru’s attacks because he has extensive knowledge of the weaknesses of ATKMB’s domestic defenders, who are also his national teammates. 

With his ability to carry the ball forward and fantastic work on the ground, Chhetri can capitalize on the vulnerabilities of his national teammates to cause ATKMB problems. The 36-year-old has not been slowed down by age and has shown major signs of improvement in recent games, so Chhetri will have to be at his ruthless best to hurt the Mariners on Monday.

ALSO READ: ISL: Top five biggest rivalries in the league’s history

Did You Know?

• After his goal against FC Goa, Roy Krishna has now scored atleast a goal against every team in the ISL. 
• Bengaluru FC have scored the most number of goals (11) in the ISL this season.
• Carl McHugh has made more tackles (42) than any other player in the ISL this season. 

Telecast

The match between ATK Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC is set to be telecast live on Star Sports 1 SD & HD, Star Sports 2 SD & HD (English), Star Sports Hindi 1 SD & HD, Star Sports 3 and several other regional languages. Live streaming of the match will be available on Hotstar and Jio TV.

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