ISL 2023-24: Bengaluru FC Eye Win as They Look to Overcome NorthEast United FC’s Home Advantage – News18

Resurgence will be on the minds of the Bengaluru FC unit as they travel to Guwahati take on NorthEast United FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium on Sunday in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24. With a solitary victory in six games so far, the Blues have begun their campaign on a similarly slow note as last season.

However, they can draw confidence from their remarkable revival in the second half of ISL 2022-23, and clinch three points to turnaround their fate away from home. The Highlanders, on the other hand, will hope to extend their positive form in their home turf – which includes two victories in three games in this season.

What’s at stake?

NorthEast United FC

The efforts of their head coach Juan Pedro Benali should not go under the radar as the Spaniard has sparked an inspiring recovery by getting his team within the top-six spots at this juncture of the campaign.

One of the fundamentals of that form has been their ability to rally behind the incredible home support they garner in Guwahati and Sunday presents them an exciting opportunity to build on that momentum against a Bengaluru FC unit edging to get a win under their belt.

Bengaluru FC

Simon Grayson arguably did the unthinkable by steering his side to the final last year, but he must not bank on recreating that magic season after season. Bengaluru FC will want to get their campaign back on track sooner than later, with fresh faces in the roster having enough time to acclimatise to the club and it’s playing style after two international breaks already.

Key Players

Parthib Gogoi (NorthEast United FC)

The 20-year-old attacker has quickly emerged as a fan-favourite as his insane out-of-the-box shooting abilities allow him to spring a surprise at any moment in the game. Parthib Gogoi plays a pivotal role spearheading the offensive moves of the Highlanders, and he will want to rediscover his goal-scoring touch after being unable to find the back of the net in his last three appearances in the league.

Suresh Singh Wangjam (Bengaluru FC)

The Blues have given away the fourth-most (8) goals in the ISL this season, and their backline needs to buckle up to secure better results. Suresh Singh Wangjam could be crucial to those plans, shielding the defence, breaking the opposition’s attacks in the middle, and initiating offensive moves with some creative passing moving forward.

Head-to-Head

Played – 14

Bengaluru FC – 8

NorthEast United FC – 2

Draws – 4

Trivia: Parthib Gogoi has become the Indian to score the most goals (5) from outside of the 18-yard box in ISL history.

Team Talk

“We are playing against a tough team. They have many players in the national team, very good foreign players, great coach, it’s a tough team to play against. Now is not the time to look at the table, that’s when the season ends. It will be very difficult for both teams and a nice game to watch,” NorthEast United FC head coach Juan Pedro Benali said in the pre-match press conference.

“They (NorthEast United FC) are a completely different team from last year, both on and off the pitch. We just have to make sure that we perform to the level that we can do. We have got good players, they have got a good squad, so being respectful of the opposition, we know what we have to do and hopefully that can get us three points,” Bengaluru FC head coach Simon Grayson said prior to the match.