Monday , December 23 2024

Goa's challenge will be in front of Bengaluru FC

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Goa, 1 November (Hindustan Reporter). The rivalry between FC Goa and Bengaluru FC will be in full swing when the two teams meet in an Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 clash at the Fatorda Stadium on Saturday evening, November 2. The former ISL champions have had very different campaigns this season, with Bengaluru FC on top while FC Goa are flailing.

FC Goa are without a win in their last four home matches, which is the Gaurs' longest such streak in the ISL. Head coach Manolo Marquez has a commendable record against Bengaluru FC. His teams have never lost in the eight matches they have played against the Blues.

Bengaluru FC have won 16 points from six matches, their second-best start to an ISL season. The Blues look to repeat the 2018-19 campaign by winning five matches this time too. Bengaluru have completed 82.1% of passes in ISL 2024-25, the highest among all teams. The Blues also scored three times in their last away match, leading to a 3-1 win over Kerala Blasters.

FC Goa's Spanish head coach Manolo Marquez said that their front line is performing excellently. He praised the Gaurs for their fighting performances this season.

He said, “We only played poorly against Mohun Bagan. The match against Mumbai was a draw and we performed well in other matches. I think now we are attacking with full force.”

Bengaluru FC's Spanish head coach Gerard Zaragoza shared details of a defensive game plan that is helping the Blues prevent more goal-scoring chances being created in their box.

“We are working hard to stop balls coming into our box,” he said. We are trying to protect our goalpost and Gurpreet. When we do this, we leave some space empty. If we close these, other spaces remain vacant. “We took risks but we haven’t conceded a goal from a cross in six games.”

Let us tell you that these two teams have faced each other 15 times in ISL. Bengaluru FC has won seven matches and FC Goa has won four matches. Four matches are drawn.