After a winning start to the 2020-21 season, Hyderabad set a date with Bengaluru in Fatorda on Saturday. Bengaluru was held for a 2-2 draw against Goa after a promising first half.
Match Timings: Nov 28, 7:30 PM
Team Preview
Bengaluru stays in Fatorda to host Hyderabad in their second game of the Indian Football League 2020-21. Cleiton Silva struck the opening goal in the 27th minute, followed by a 57th-minute strike from Juanan to give Bengaluru a 2-0 lead. In the second half, Goa rushed towards Bengaluru’s area, and they created opportunities. Igor Angulo netted a brace in the margin of four minutes. The Blues walked away with one point, and this draw put some questions on their defense.
Last season, Gurpreet Singh kept 11 clean-sheets, and Carles Cuadrat’s men have been regarded as the best unit in defense. They signed Ajith Kumar at the left-back slot with Ashique Kuruniyan and also got Pratik Chaudhari from Mumbai. Fran Gonzalez will have a big responsibility in defense after Goa’s game.
Meanwhile, Hyderabad are coming off a 1-0 win over Odisha, courtesy of Santana’s first-half strike through penalty. The Spanish striker is a massive boost to the Black Outfit in forward role. He also scored two goals in pre-season friendlies. Manuel Marquez would aim to find some glory this season after a bottom finish in 2019-20. The young Indian talents are going to play a crucial role for Hyderabad.
Apart from Santana, the center-back Odei Onaindia and midfielder Jose Victor also require more depth to overcome strong Bengaluru. A-League star Joel Chianese can deliver his experience to this side. Under Marquez, Hyderabad looks like a good side, which can surprise Bengaluru.
Both the sides have previously met in the pre-season fixture, and Hyderabad held Carles Cuadrat’s side for a 1-1 draw. Wungngayam Muirang opened the scoring for Bengaluru, and Aridane Santana netted an eqaliser to make the scoreline 1-1. Bengaluru skipper Sunil Chhetri also missed the rare penalty. The Blues tried to find a late-winner, but they failed to convert any opportunity.
Possible Lineups & Current Form
Bengaluru
Lineup: Gurpreet Singh; Bheke, Fran Gonzalez, Juanan Gonzalez, Kuruniyan; Paartalu, Wangjam; Udanta, Cleiton Silva, Sunil Chhetri; Kristian Opseth
Pre-season friendly form - D L
Previous outing: 2-2 draw with Goa
Hyderabad
Lineup: Subrata Paul, Onaindia, Chinglensana, Sahil Panwar, Souvik Chakrabarti, Adil Khan, Joao Victor, Sastre, Chianese, Laldanmawia, Santana
Pre-season friendly form - W D L L
Previous outing: 1-0 victory over Odisha
Key Players
Bengaluru
Sunil Chhetri
9 goals in Indian Football League 2019-20
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
11 clean-sheets in Indian Football League 2019-20
Hyderabad
Santana
9 goals in Indian Football League 2019-20
2 goals in pre-season & 1 goal in season 2020-21
Joel Chianese
4 goals in A-League 2019-20
