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FC Goa host Bengaluru FC in their first home fixture of Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Thursday. The Gaurs head into the contest on the back of a 2-1 setback at the hands of Mumbai City FC in a match that could have gone either way. Goa will need to be more compact at the back against Bengaluru than they were in their previous two matches if they want a positive result from the encounter. The Blues, on the other hand, have made a flying start in their debut Hero ISL season, picking up a maximum of six points from two matches and conceding just once. A comprehensive 4-1 rout of Delhi Dynamos FC last time around proved that they possess one of the most lethal attacking units, making Thursday’s encounter all the more intriguing with both sides keen to make their mark in the final-third.
KEY PLAYERS
Ferran Corominas (FC Goa)
The Spaniard has been a livewire in FC Goa’s frontline having already notched up a goal and an assist for the Gaurs. He has threatened the opposition defence whenever on the prowl and offers immense fluidity to Goa’s attacks. His contribution will be pivotal for Goa against what looks like a settled and solid Bengaluru defence.
Erik Paartalu (Bengaluru FC)
The big Australian is mostly deployed as a defensive midfielder, but he uses his strength and physique well to be a threat from set-plays. This was evident for all to see in Bengaluru’s previous match against Delhi, where he used his height to good effect by scoring twice with his head from set-pieces. He doesn’t neglect his midfield duties either and has a high work-rate that sees him break down his fair share of opposition attacks.
POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS
FC Goa
Sergio Lobera will most likely implement his preferred attack-minded 4-3-3 formation and look to take the game to the visitors.
Goalkeeper: Laxmikant Kattimani
Defenders: Narayan Das, Seriton Fernandes, Chinglensana Singh, Mohamed Ali
Midfielders: Edu Bedia, Bruno Pinheiro, Manuel Arana
Forwards: Mandar Rao Dessai, Ferran Corominas, Manuel Lanzarote
Goa head coach, Sergio Lobera on Bengaluru: “They (Bengaluru) are a strong team, in the two games that they have played, they have showed that they are the team with the best form. They have showed that they are the strongest team so far.”
Bengaluru FC
Albert Roca will probably stick to his tried and tested 3-4-3 formation, which offers his side plenty of width.
Goalkeeper: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
Defenders: Juanan, John Johnson, Boithang Haokip
Midfielders: Lenny Rodrigues, Eduardo Garcia, Erik Paartalu, Rahul Bheke
Forwards: Miku, Sunil Chhetri, Udanta Singh
Bengaluru head coach, Albert Roca on Goa: “Tomorrow will be a very tough game. Goa have shown that they are very skillful, they have very good Spanish players that makes this team one of the favourites to win the title. But we will be ready for a big battle tomorrow and we will try to do our best and let’s see what happens.”
KEY STAT:
• 2015 was the year in which both these teams finished as runners-up in their respective leagues. FC Goa lost to Chennaiyin FC in the Hero ISL final that year, while Bengaluru FC were second in the Hero I-League but did clinch the Federation Cup.
