Bengaluru FC started the game with a very attacking mentality, pressing Jamshedpur FC players comprehensively. This was pretty evident by the shots and corners showered over Jamshedpur by Chhetri and his men. Jamshedpur, on the other hand, had a different approach to Sunday’s game. The midfield was pretty stretched compared to Bengaluru, who played narrow on the midfield, creating an arrow type formation, working efficiently for counter attacks.
Line-Ups:
Bengaluru FC
Pros: Bengaluru FC’s approach was a very conventional counter-attacking strategy, with an attacking midfielder, playing the No. 10 role and Chhetri running through the wings, working for set pieces, while Miku came in through the spaces, to punish the gaps Jamshedpur FC so easily provided in the early half of the game. Bengaluru FC seemed to work on long shots and volleys during their practice sessions, which was seen with Chhetri and Nishu launching attacks quite often from outside the box, and their first goal also came from a stunner from outside the box.
Cons: Though Bengaluru FC’s counter-attacking style of football was much more effective in the first half, sticking to offensive basics and moving the ball forward, their rigidity in their formation made them fairly predictable in the second half. Due to this, Bengaluru had to lay back, and penetrate the defence through wings, as Tiri and Gaikwad had figured out how to mark the frontal attacks, compelling Chhetri to run in from the left and score through a brilliant set piece.
Formations:
Jamshedpur FC, however, flaunted their Spanish influence yet again, dominating possession, yet disappointed in attack, as no concrete anchor of offence was seen in the first half. However, in the second half, the team started absorbing the pressure quite efficiently, changing directions of passes and playing fairly accurate through and long balls.
Jamshedpur FC
Pros: The best aspect of JFC’s play against Bengaluru was their fluidity in formation, with Arques working as an attacking midfielder as well as a holding midfielder as and when required, Cido (or Cidoncha) working as a secondary striker with Cahill feeding him balls as well as Soosairaj working tremendously hard to keep the passes going, in spite of being marked heavily. With Mobashir and Mukhi on, the anchor of attack was somewhat brought into shape and quite deservedly the got the goal.
Cons: Jamshedpur FC tried to resist the free-flowing attacks of Bengaluru FC with a very physical approach, finishing the day with 4 yellow cards against 1 of Bengaluru FC. Their “supposedly” most important player, Tim Cahill, was disappointing, posing no real threat to the opposition really. Lastly, Jamshedpur FC did absorb the pressure, but very late in the game. If they could have done it earlier, the three points could have been achieved easily.
Summary
Bengaluru FC started the game with free-flowing attacks and consequently drew first blood as Nishu Kumar found the top left corner of the net with an amazing right foot volley outside the box. Jamshedpur, however, equalised with Mukhi Scoring in the last quarter of the game, with an assist from Arques. Sunil Chhetri pulled Bengaluru in the lead again in the 88th minute with a perfect set piece header, assisted by Khabra. As Bengaluru were looking to get away with the win at home, again an assist from Arques was sent into the net by Cidoncha snatching two points from Bengaluru FC and eventually settling for a draw.
