ISL: Priorities have changed for Bengaluru FC as they host attack-minded FC Goa

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Bengaluru, February 8: Two teams known for their attacking prowess lock horns when leaders Bengaluru FC host FC Goa in an Indian Super League clash at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Friday (February 9).

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But priorities for both teams are different at this point of the ISL. While FC Goa look to cement their spot in the top four, Bengaluru FC need to preserve their players for a hectic week ahead.

FC Goa have scored the most goals in this ISL - 29 - with 13 of those coming from Ferran Corominas, the leading goalscorer. Bengaluru FC are just one goal behind them with the combination of Miku (11 goals) and Sunil Chhetri (nine) accounting for 20.

Nothing tells the tale of the similarity between the two teams than the number of passes they have made. BFC have completed 6,613 passes so far and Goa are just behind at 6,328. Ahmed Jahouh and Edu Bedia, two FC Goa midfielders, have accounted for 978 and 827 passes.

Goa are fifth on the table having played two matches less than others - BFC and FC Pune City. They can catch up to their rivals with two wins and reach up to the second spot. But what separates the two is their back-line. While BFC have only slipped in 15 goals, Goa have conceded 23, only second to bottom-placed Delhi Dynamos (29 goals conceded).

This will be the worrying factor for Goa against Bengaluru FC. However, Goa assistant coach Derrick Pereira claimed his team will continue to play its attacking football, never mind the goals conceded.

"We play as a team and we follow certain ideas and philosophy," Pereira said on Thursday (February 8). "We will stick to that and play attacking football. We get punished if we make mistakes. That's the story of our season. But we'll not change our ideas and keep playing the same way."

FC Goa striker Mark Sifneos, who went home to Denmark fearing deportation, is expected to return. Sifneos did not have the necessary work permit to be in India after parting ways with Kerala Blasters, who sniffed to the Indian authorities about Sifneos not possessing the regular paperwork.

"He's expected to return to India tonight and hopefully, he will be there in tomorrow's lineup," Pereira added.

The last time that these two sides met, there were seven goals. FC Goa narrowly edged 10-man Bengaluru FC 4-3 at Fatorda, a game tipped as one of the best ISL games this season. Even when they clash on Friday, both teams are expected to go all out at each other, promising an exciting game.

"Clean sheet is always a nice thing," Bengaluru FC coach Albert Roca said. "But for spectators, it will be better to watch a game with lot of goals. For coaches, it gets crazy if you see that kind of games. What is important is to win. Even more important is how we win it. Tomorrow will be a good game against a difficult team and it will be good for the spectators."

Bengaluru, however, have their own priorities. Just four days after this tie, they are scheduled to play Maldivian side TC Sports in the first leg of their AFC Cup play-off. Apart from keeping his players well-rested for the tight week ahead, Bengaluru FC have to worry about the internal strife in Maldives.

Bengaluru FC have asked the AFC to reschedule the tie considering the worrying political scenario in Maldives, a place where even the Indian government has advised against travel. However, the AFC is yet to take a decision on it.

For now, BFC will proceed with their plan of rotating their players.

"It's important we rotate the squad. As you know, we have a calendar which is really tough and we have to think about it. It's for me to try and do that as much as possible knowing that we have the first leg of AFC Cup 4 days later. We have to pay attention to that and make changes. But it won't be many changes - don't want to break the flow of the team. We're 13-14 players but I am confident now in how the others have performed in the AFC Cup against Bhutan. They are in the rhythm. Perhaps I can give them a chance tomorrow," Roca added.

One of the best ISL games

Recap of what happened when Bengaluru FC visited Goa last time.

Talisman Chhetri

Sunil Chhetri, the India and Bengaluru FC skipper, is deservedly the highest Indian goalscorer with nine strikes.

Corominas factor

FC Goa's Ferran Corominas is the highest goalscorer in the ISL with 13 goals. He scored a hat-trick against Bengaluru FC the last time they met. Albert Roca knows he's the danger man.

Returning after paperwork

Mark Sifneos, who fled to his home in Denmark fearing deportation, will return to India. FC Goa are hoping he makes the line-up for the ISL match against Bengaluru FC.

Playmaker Jahouh

Ahmed Jahouh, FC Goa midfielder, has accounted for 978 passes this season.

Bengaluru FC vs FC Goa

Indian Super League

Live from Sree Kanteerava Stadium

At 8 pm (Friday, February 9)

On Star Sports 2 and Hotstar