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Match week 5 of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 kicks off with FC Pune City hosting Bengaluru FC at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium in Pune on Thursday. The Stallions are confident after inflicting a first ever defeat on league debutants Jamshedpur FC in an away fixture and will be looking for another win when they host the table-toppers. They will be missing the services of left-back Lalchhuanmawia Fanai, as he was sent off by the referee after receiving two yellows against Jamshedpur. The Blues on the other hand also won their last fixture which was away to NorthEast United FC, and will want to strengthen their position at the top of the table in another tricky away fixture. Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu will once again not be available for selection as he serves out his two-match suspension.
KEY PLAYERS
Marcos Tebar (FC Pune City)
The Spaniard has been patrolling the midfield to good effect for the Stallions, and has a goal and an assist to his name. He was impressive in Pune’s last encounter against Jamshedpur, where he orchestrated many attacks from the middle of the park, while also keeping potential offensive threats from the opposition in check. It earned him the Hero of the Match award, and he will want to reproduce a similar display against Bengaluru.
Miku (Bengaluru FC)
Bengaluru’s Venezuelan striker Miku has been at his prolific best and is always on the move to take advantage of the slightest opportunity. He has already found the back of the net four times this season and scored the winner against NorthEast in the Blues’ last outing. Miku will once again look to make the most of his pace and trickery when Bengaluru visit Pune.
POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS
FC Pune City
Ranko Popovic would probably line Pune up in the 4-2-3-1 formation, utilizing both the midfield and the flanks to good effect.
Goalkeeper: Vishal Kaith
Defenders: Harpreet Singh, Rafael Lopez, Gurtej Singh, Sarthak Golui
Midfielders: Marcos Tebar, Adil Khan, Isaac Vanmalsawma, Marcelinho, Diego Carlos
Forward: Emiliano Alfaro
Popovic on his team’s mindset, ahead of Thursday’s fixture: “What we are looking for is for Pune to always improve, and to improve our style. We have to be one unit, and be strong and collective. I hope this can bring us to the point where we want to be, and to get the three points tomorrow.”
Bengaluru FC
Albert Roca may want to counter Pune by cancelling them out with a 4-2-3-1 formation of his own.
Goalkeeper: Lalthuammawia Ralte
Defenders: Subhasish Bose, Rahul Bheke, John Johnson, Harmanjot Khabra
Midfielders: Erik Paartalu, Edu Garcia, Sunil Chhetri, Dimas Delgado, Udanta Singh
Forward: Miku
Bengaluru’s head coach on how he weighs their opponent: “I expect a tough game. Pune has showed that they are more or less at the same level. It’s going to be difficult. Pune have enough experience to put us in trouble.”
KEY STATS
– FC Pune City have five South Americans and two Spaniards in their squad while Bengaluru FC have five Spaniards and one South American in theirs
– Only FC Goa (13 goals) have scored more often than Bengaluru (10 goals) this season
