Preview: Can ATK Mohun Bagan keep up summit push against Bengaluru?

The Blues will look to materialise the meagre chance they have to qualify for the playoffs.

Bengaluru FC will take on the gigantic ATK Mohun Bagan at the Fatorda Stadium in the Indian Super League on Tuesday. Exactly 80% of the Blues’ season is done with now. They have collected merely four victories and underwent a change in coaching personnel in between.

Now, the time has come for them to up the ante and try and finish the season positively to explore the slight opportunity of making it into the playoffs. However, Naushad Moosa’s men face a tern test ahead in the form of ATK Mohun Bagan. Antonio Habas’ men have their own set of aspirations that they hope to clinch in the fag end of the campaign.

The Stakes

Bengaluru have now played seven matches under Moosa’s tutelage and have managed to win only one of those games. They have lost twice, whereas four encounters have resulted in a draw.

Yet, the team are somewhat hovering around the playoffs spot and have a slight opportunity to make its way into the top four after a largely disappointing campaign. Currently, Bengaluru are placed sixth and are separated by four points from fourth-placed NorthEast United. With four games to go, tables can turn very quickly in their favour, considering that they play three of their remaining games against sides that are placed above them in the standings.

Moosa has been unable to secure victories, but has prevented the team from succumbing to a freefall of failure too. The interim head coach has managed to keep them in the hunt for the semi-finals to some extent. Bengaluru know what it takes to beat ATKMB. It’s just a matter of reinvigorating the side to recover their lost potential at the most crucial juncture of the campaign. The onus to do so lies on the shoulders of the former India international.

On the other hand, for ATK Mohun Bagan, it’s all about not letting their guard down. By sheer squad strength, the Kolkata-based club should have been the topmost contenders for the AFC Champions League spot. However, Mumbai have managed to surpass them in that journey for the better part of the season.

Fortunately, for Habas, the Islanders have conceded some ground in recent times. Their lead over ATKMB has trimmed down to mere three points now. Moreover, Mumbai have the likes of FC Goa, Bengaluru FC and ATKMB to face in their final five games of the campaign. The time is ripe for Habas to pounce upon the opportunity and it should start with three points against a weakened Blues. Will they manage to capitalize on the opening? Only time will tell.

Head-to-Head

https://youtu.be/Oy5bpkW_sFg

ATK Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC have played once against each other, earlier this season. The outfit from Kolkata had secured a narrow a 1-0 victory over the Blues in December. However, Bengaluru FC had faced ATK eight times before out of which they won five games, lost twice while one game ended up in a stalemate.

Team News

Leon Augustine will miss the game due to injury. Ashique Kuruniyan could make it back to the matchday squad, as he has resumed training. ATKMB might play an unchanged lineup given that there are no last-minute injuries.

Probable Lineups

Bengaluru FC: Gurpreet (GK), Khabra, Chaudhari, Gonzalez, Ajith, Shrivas, Paartalu, Wangjam, Udanta, Chhetri, Silva.

ATK Mohun Bagan: Arindam (GK); Pritam, Tiri, Jhingan; Subhasish, Halder, Lenny, Javi, Manvir; Krishna; Marcelinho.

Man To Watch

Cleiton Silva (Bengaluru FC)

Cleiton Silva has been one of the few bright players for Bengaluru FC this season. The veteran forward comes with a huge reputation from the Thai league and has clicked in the ISL, on both the goalscoring and the creative front. The 34-year-old has scored five goals, assisted thrice in 16 matches and is Bengaluru’s joint top-scorer this season too.

ATK Mohun Bagan have a robust backline and Silva will be integral to Bengaluru's plans to break down the opposition. The Brazilian is adept at working the flanks, stretching play, making inward runs and capitalizing on opportunities inside the six-yard box. His partnership with Sunil Chhetri upfront will be one of the decisive factors in the eventual outcome of the game.

Manvir Singh (ATK Mohun Bagan)

Manvir Singh has started only eight of the 15 games that he has played this season. However, the India international has displayed his dynamism in abundance in those appearances. The forward bagged a crucial brace against Odisha FC in the team’s last encounter. Singh has managed to demonstrate his footwork and take on defenders at will.

He has some exciting skills up his sleevesand has scored all of his four goals this season with his feet. The 25-year-old has also assisted thrice and his overall gameplay seems to have improved incredibly at ATKMB. Habas’ team already has two stupendous forwards in Roy Krishna and Marcelinho. Singh’s sublime forms further adds to their quality and one can expect the young lad to sustain his goalscoring touch towards the end of this season too.

Did You Know?

• David Williams has scored four goals in five appearances against Bengaluru FC in the ISL.
• Manvir Singh scored only three goals in 47 appearances across three seasons in the ISL for FC Goa. He has already surpassed that tally in 15 games for ATKMB.
• Bengaluru FC are one of three teams (along with Mumbai City FC and FC Goa) to have two of their players (Silva and Chhetri) in the top 10 goalscorers list this season.

Telecast

The match between Bengaluru FC and ATK Mohun Bagan 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.