ISL, Bengaluru FC vs Chennaiyin FC: Set-pieces and counter-attacks could decide the final

Bengaluru, March 16: Chennaiyin FC will expect Bengaluru FC to come at them in the early stages of the game and look to hit back on the counter to seize the early advantage during their Indian Super League final at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Saturday (March 17). That apart, the game could also be decided on set-pieces. Chennaiyin FC John Gregory rules out extra time and penalties in the ISL final given "the quality of attack possessed by both teams".

So what could decide who bags the trophy in the do-or-die final? Here, we now try to decode the final for you. Read on....

Bengaluru, Chennaiyin strong during set-pieces

Bengaluru FC will stay on guard during set-pieces and counter-attacks against Chennaiyin FC. While they will continue holding maximum possession of the ball and creating chances from the flanks, they will be prepared to deal with possible counters from Chennai, zoning out striker Jeje Lalpekhlua and denying him the space he needs. Bengaluru's attack will involve long balls from the back to the two wingers - Udanta Singh and Sunil Chhetri. Another way they look to score is by playing the ball through the centre - Dimas Delgado to Miku - who then connects with Chhetri or Udanta with a ball that disassocitates the defender marking them.

Gregory: Set-pieces are important. We'll treat it with the utmost respect, certainly when they get opportunities. The game could be decided by one. #LetsFootball #BENCHE #HeroISL

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) March 16, 2018

"They are physical," midfielder Erik Paartalu said. "We know they can score and are good at closing out games. If we don't score first, it will be a dificult match. So I think whoever scores first will have a chance to win the match. It'll be an interesting tussle."

Bengaluru's set-piece specialist returns

Bengaluru FC, who have their assistant coach Carles Cuadrat back, are expected to throw a surprise in their set-piece routines. Cuadrat is the brains behind Bengaluru FC's set-piece strategy and he returned after recuperating from a surgery just in time for the ISL semi-finals. BFC coach Albert Roca suggested after the FC Pune City semi-final that Cuadrat is now focussed on set-piece routines again so there will be some fresh ideas thrown into the game on Saturday.

ISL fixtures | Results

Chennaiyin FC, on the other hand, can take solace from the fact that they scored two of their three goals against FC Goa in the ISL came off headers.

Chhetri: They're really strong at set-pieces. We conceded from a Dhanpal free-kick. I think they're a strong team that work hard at set-pieces.#LetsFootball #BENCHE #HeroISL

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) March 16, 2018

"Dhanpal Ganesh scored here last time around and his goal in the semi-final was similar to the one he scored here," Gregory said on Friday (March 16). "Bengaluru FC too work a lot on their set-pieces. But one thing I have noticed is that they always surprise their opponents. They never repeat their set-pieces and we've seen how many routines they have created in their league matches - four-player dummy for example. So I think set-pieces will form a big part of tomorrow's game and any of the goals could come from those. I know they won't repeat. But if Chhetri takes a penalty like he did against Pune City - a panenka, I will be after him."

Long-rangers and side angles

A way around for Chennaiyin FC, apart from set-pieces, is scoring from the edge of the box and from the two sides of the goal. A big shift from the left to right and vice-versa, given the way Chennaiyin FC push the ball around quickly, will give no time for Bengaluru defenders to react.

He's got pace to thrill ⚡️ and pace to burn 🔥

Will the man they call 'The Flash' @UdantaK produce an electrifying performance in the #HeroISL final?#LetsFootball #BENCHE pic.twitter.com/d0HdOFGThG

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) March 16, 2018

Bengaluru will also look to surprise their opponents with fresh set-piece routines. Towering midfielder Erik Paartalu, who has scored all three of his goals this season by heading the ball off a set-piece, knows he's being watched and hopes to come up with a different plan.

Paartalu shunned by Korea

"It's a different proposition than FC Goa. Goa will be open and free-flowing game. You know they can score from anywhere. But Chennaiyin FC are close and dangerous on the transition. Certainly at the start, I was scoring goals as a defensive midfielder. People took more notice of me then. I scored three goals in three matches and everyone wanted me to score more. It did not put a lot of pressure on me to score but other opponents started marking me during set-pieces. I haven't had many chances since then. We're making the chances to score. I am happy with it and I would love to score this weekend."

Containing Miku, Chhetri

Chennaiyin FC have their target bang on - restrict the movement of BFC strikers Miku and Chhetri and stand a chance of winning. After all, the duo has scored 24 of Bengaluru FC's 35 goals in the league stage with Miku accounting for 14 of them. While Paartalu on set-pieces has also been a safe bet, others have contributed only in making the goals for BFC.

Udanta Singh, for example, has been a menace for opposition defenders on the right flank. Although he has only one goal to his credit - a late strike against Kerala Blasters - Udanta has the work rate to show for it. The winger, however, has to be more accurate in sending his crosses - they are in the right areas but do not reach the target individuals. If Gregory comes up with a plan to contain the main two, it will be up to Udanta to run in more at the centre of the box to try and score against Chennaiyin FC. Others like Dimas Delgado, Lenny Rodrigues and Toni Dovale will continue to set up the passing play of Bengaluru.

"Chhetri scored all three goals and that tells you how important he is," Gregory commented. "Between Miku and Chhetri, Bengaluru have scored 24 out of their 35 goals in the league phase. So they are very similar to FC Goa, where Ferran Corominas and Manuel Lanzarote accounted for most of their goals. Both have been good for them but we showed that if you manage to keep them quiet, you have a chance of winning. We did that in Chennai and we will do that again with Miku and Chhetri - try to keep them quiet. It's hard, I know, but it gives us a chance."

Past is in the past

Chennaiyin FC may have beaten Bengaluru FC 2-1 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium but that was long ago - December 2017. Chennaiyin FC will not carry much psychological edge from that win, although it will play on Bengaluru's mind to better them this time.

It all comes down to this! @ChennaiyinFC have been there and done that, while winning is a tradition at @bengalurufc!

With the ultimate prize on the line, who will lift the coveted #HeroISL trophy? #LetsFootball #BENCHE pic.twitter.com/kCyBVnVAav

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) March 16, 2018

"If the game was one week back, then it would have probably played on our minds pyschologically," BFC captain Sunil Chhetri remarked on Friday (March 16). "We lost to Jamshedpur at home as well, then we came out strong and beat Chennaiyin FC at their home ground. We're not thinking about that game much. We are taking our lessons from that - now we know they are strong with their set-pieces. We've got to rectify that and come out strnog. The memory is not fresh on our minds, but we do remember the result."

Where to watch:

Bengaluru FC vs Chennaiyin FC

ISL final

Live from Sree Kanteerava Stadium

At 8 pm (Saturday, March 17)

On Star Sports 2 and Hotstar