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In what is the first big-ticket game at the Fortress this season, Bengaluru FC will look to turn up with resolve and vigour against League-leaders East Bengal in Bengaluru on Saturday.
Desperate to snap out of a six-game streak without a win, Albert Roca felt it was about time his team got rewarded for the kind of football they have been playing. “We’ve done really well in our last three games and deserved more from every one of them. But I hope we can change that tomorrow against a team that will come hard at us from the first minute of the game,” said the Spaniard while addressing the media on the eve of the fixture.
While the Blues are in the middle of a tough phase with regards to results, East Bengal too have had a bit of a stutter, picking up two points in their last three games. Trevor Morgan’s team also lost their first game of the campaign, a 0-1 defeat at Aizawl FC earlier in the week, making Saturday’s game one with high stakes for both sides.
East Bengal have made the trip to Bengaluru without their top scorer Willis Plaza who hasn’t recovered from a groin injury he suffered in the defeat against Aizawl FC last week and it could prompt Trevor Morgan to start former Blues man Robin Singh alongside Wedson Anselme in attack. The visitors will also be without Lalrindika Ralte who misses the fixture with a suspension.
The Blues, meanwhile, continue to grapple with injuries, the latest casualty being goalkeeper Amrinder Singh who had to be replaced in the 40th minute against Mumbai FC with a sore groin. The Blues’ first-choice shot-stopper will make way for Arindam Bhattacharya who made his club debut off the bench at the Cooperage Stadium while John Johnson, Rino Anto and Lalchhuanmawia continue their rehabilitation from injury.
The last time East Bengal came to the Fortress, it ended in a 3-1 defeat that prompted the resignation of then coach Biswajit Bhattacharya as the Blues went on to win the title. But circumstances are a tad bit different now with the Kolkata club leading the points table while Bengaluru FC, on fifth, are battling hard to get back to winning ways.
The game kicks off at 7pm and will be telecast live on TEN 2.
