ISL: Bengaluru, FC Goa meet in clash of titans

A cracker of a contest is in the offing with defending champions Bengaluru FC all set to cross swords with table-toppers FC Goa in the first game of Indian Super League (ISL) in 2020 at the Sree Kanteerava stadium here on Friday.

FC Goa will look to extend their lead at the top while Bengaluru will look to cut the gap between them and Goa to two points. Ever since the first game between the two sides finished in Goa's favour, Bengaluru have had the upper hand in this fixture, remaining unbeaten in five matches against the Gaurs.

"We are going to face one of the best teams in the ISL. It's a big match for us, but I think at the moment the pressure is on them. We have five points between us. We can go to Bengaluru with confidence and if we can get three points, the gap will increase to eight points," said Goa assistant coach Jesus Tato.

Goa's task of turning their fortunes around against the Blues will be that much harder as they will be without coach Sergio Lobera on the touchline after he was sent off in their last game against Chennaiyin FC.

A lot would depend on star striker Ferran Corominas, who has been in form lately. However, the Spanish striker hasn't really come to life when pitted against Juanan and Albert Serran.

Another key player will be Brandon Fernandes who comes into the tie on the back of two goals in as many games and also has five assists to his name so far this season. In fact, no Indian has a better goal involvement number than the 25-year-old Goan.

"I think we're doing well this season, quite similar to last season in the way that we're missing our striker (Miku) for nine games. We're missing Onwu for seven games. If you see the topscorers table, every team has a foreigner with goals. In the end, football is about balance and we have been balanced enough to have been fighting for the playoffs in the last two seasons," said Bengaluru coach Carles Cuadrat.

Bengaluru have struggled this season against fellow play-off contenders, losing to ATK and Mumbai City FC, while they could only manage a draw against FC Goa in the reverse fixture.

Setpieces could play a big role in deciding the outcome of the match. Both teams make the most of offensive setpieces FC Goa's 11 out of 22 goals have come from dead-ball situations while six of Bengaluru's 11 goals have stemmed from setpieces. Both teams have the best records in defending setpieces as well.

( With inputs from IANS )