West Block supporters came to me & said we have to win this game: Albert Roca
Following a loss & two wins away from home, Bengaluru FC will be keen to prove they are among the best in the business when they return to the ‘Fortress’ for their clash against Chennaiyin FC
The ISL debutants have been at their best on their home turf, rightly nicknamed the Fortress. With convincing victories over Mumbai City FC and Delhi Dynamos in their first two matches at home, Bengaluru FC will look to hand Chennaiyin FC the same treatment and open up a lead at the top of the table.
Bengaluru FC lead the table with 12 points from five matches, “I expect a tough game. They are very competitive and have big central defenders. Also, they are good in set-pieces. For us tomorrow, it will be difficult. They are a side with good balance,” Bengaluru FC coach Albert Roca said during the pre-match media interaction on Saturday.
The importance of the next clash against Chennaiyin FC has been explained in detail to the Spanish coach. It’s a clash against a team that is closely located to them, and the supporters group – West Block Blues – wants the bragging rights to remain with them.
“The West Block supporters came to me and said, ‘Coach, we have to win this game. This is more important because it’s a derby’. I will explain to the players what this match means, just so that it gives us extra motivation,” said Roca.
Also Read: Top-four slot in sight, Mumbai City takes on bottom-placed ATK
Bengaluru will see the return of first-choice goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu on Sunday. The custodian missed the last two matches through suspension. While Gurpreet could start for sure, the coach said he might provide rest to some of his players because they have another game coming up on Thursday.
“We have another big game on Thursday, so we have to manage the situation as best as possible. The players don’t want to sit out, but the job of the coaching staff is to make sure everyone’s being rested well,” he said.
Chennaiyin FC are equally determined to stay put among the top teams and know that victory could take them to the top of the table. After three successive victories, Chennaiyin FC were grounded in Mumbai and are keen to get back to winning ways.
“Once you get to the top, everyone wants to knock you off (the perch). It can be easy to get to the top of the league, but to stay there is the more difficult thing. We’ve come here obviously knowing that we are up against a team which is three points ahead of us. We want to take three points back to Chennai. I am aware this is a local derby. This is by far the closest team to us (geographically). There is a bit of local rivalry here,” said Chennaiyin FC coach John Gregory.
Also Read: Clinical Goa hammers five past Delhi, to move into top spot
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for more updates on Indian Football
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
Millat FC win 5-2 to stay in title race, Hope United enters top 3 in the league table
Title contenders Millat FC kept their unbeaten run on with cruising 5-2 win over Kalina Rangers, Hope United picked up a come from behind win. Millat FC rode on Duane…
ISL 2023-24 Knockout 1 Preview: Playoffs fever grips the ISL as Odisha FC host Kerala Blasters FC with a semi-final spot at stake
Bhubaneswar, April 18: Odisha FC and Kerala Blasters FC will face each other in the first match of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs at the Kalinga Stadium in…
Attacking talents flourish, defensive stability define league’s best: ISL 2023-24 Statistical Breakdown
The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 league stages rounded off with Mohun Bagan Super Giant becoming the League Champions for the first time in the history of the competition. They…
Ivan Vukomanovic: Seeing Kerala Blasters FC players shine for the national team gives me great satisfaction
Kerala Blasters FC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic is into his third season in the Indian Super League (ISL) and he has naturally overseen the rise of multiple young players who…
I-League 2: MH Oranje FC’s decisive away game ends in a draw against United SC
A late goal from Sanchit Singh gave MH Oranje FC a breath of fresh life with the draw ensuring the relegation battle against United SC continues till the final day…
MH Oranje FC Gears Up for a Final Push in the MFA Premier League
MH Oranje FC’s Intense Final Stretch: Pursuing MFA Premier League Glory As the MFA Premier League 2023-24 season reaches its climax, MH Oranje FC is gearing up for an intense…
ISL 2023-24 Knockout 2 Preview – Playoff Fever: FC Goa Hosts Chennaiyin FC in High-Stakes Knockout Battle
Goa, April 19: The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs reach a fever pitch as FC Goa prepares to host Chennaiyin FC in a high-stakes knockout clash at the iconic…
Odisha FC wins their first-ever playoff match to qualify for semi-final with comeback victory against Kerala Blasters FC
Bhubaneswar, April 19: Odisha FC qualified for the semi-final of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 by beating Kerala Blasters FC by 2-1 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar tonight. Accordingly,…
Indian Super League announces tentative venues for the 2023 – 2024 Final
Mumbai, April 23: The Indian Super League (ISL) today announced that the 2023-24 season final scheduled on Saturday, 4th May will be played at the home ground of the higher ranked team in the…
Odisha FC strike first blow with 2-1 comeback win in semis against Mohun Bagan Super Giant
Bhubaneswar, April 23: Odisha FC secured a 2-1 victory against the Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar in the first leg of their semi-final fixture…
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…