It's advantage Bengaluru FC over FC Pune City in ISL semis

Pune, March 6: On the back of an unbeaten run stretching 12 games, Bengaluru FC certainly seem to be the overwhelming favourites to emerge champions in the fourth edition of the Indian Super League. The debutants have defeated every team in the ISL this season and finished at the top of the league ladder with a record 40 points.

Roca leads Bengaluru FC's amazing run

No surprise that when the first leg of the semi-final kicks off at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium, Pune, on Wednesday, the visitors would certainly be high on confidence and enjoy some advantage. They had won here when visited last, however, given Pune's attacking play and the way Orange Army took the game to Bengaluru FC in the reverse fixture, Ranko Popovic's boys would feel equally confident too.

Popovic's hand in Pune's semi-final entry

"When you play the league, you have some games to make up. Now we have to be very careful. We have two games and nothing will be decided tomorrow, we need to play good in both games to make it to the finals," said FC Pune City coach Ranko Popovic.

ISL fixtures | Recent results | Points table

Popovic's strategy of stifling Bengaluru FC was appearing to pay dividends when the teams met in Pune. They were leading but then were reduced to 10 men after which it went downhill. Now that they are in the semi-final, Pune will be careful; they have to punch above their weight and improve on their last three matches where they have failed to win.

"We need to express ourselves the way we have been throughout the season. We have done very well in the season, and not going all the way will be disappointing," said Popovic.

Bengaluru FC's top-scorer

Venezuelan Miku has been in top form for Bengaluru FC. In 17 matches, the forward has scored 14 goals for BFC. He's second behind Ferran Corominas (18) of FC Goa in the goalscoring charts.

FC Pune City's strike force

For FC Pune City, Emiliano Alfaro has stepped up with nine goals this season. The Uruguayan forward, along with Marcelinho, were key in lifting Pune to the ISL semis (Image: ISL Media)

Marcelinho factor

Marcelinho, the golden boot winner in the 2017 ISL with 10 strikes for Delhi Dynamos, has netted on eight occasions this time (Image: ISL Media)

One man Chhetri

Bengaluru FC's Sunil Chhetri, also the India captain, is the highest Indian goalscorer in the ISL with 10 goals in 18 games. He's in top form going into the semifinals (Image: ISL Media)

One-up Roca

Albert Roca (left), the Bengaluru FC coach, has won in Pune once before against Ranko Popovic's FC Pune City. The other league game in Bengaluru ended 1-1. Sarthak Goloui scored on the occasion for Pune before Miku provided an equaliser in the 75th minute. In Pune, Miku's double and Sunil Chhetri's late strike were enough to get a 3-1 win after Adil Khan put Pune ahead. (Image: ISL Media)

Bengaluru FC would feel that it will be a huge disappointment if they don't continue with their league stage form and not just make it to the final but also emerge champions.

"The first match we played against them, they were leading. It was only after they got a red card we scored three goals. FC Pune City is a tough team to play against and we are looking forward to it," said Bengaluru FC assistant coach Naushad Moosa.

Bengaluru FC have scored 35 goals, the second highest behind FC Goa. Pune's defence hasn't really lived up to the expectations and the visitors would look to exploit, even though they are playing away.

"I really don't think to play the first game away from home is a disadvantage. If you see our track record, we have a very good record away from home. We want to play positive football and win the game," said Moosa.

Not everything is working in Bengaluru's favour. They must be alert to the challenge that their rivals would pose, particularly upfront where suspended Brazilian forward Marcelinho and Emiliano Alfaro would return to jointly spearhead the attack.

"For us, both of them are very important. Not having them is like Barcelona without (Lionel) Messi and (Luis) Suarez," said Popovic.

Bengaluru may be the favourites but with such an array of attacking talent, Pune will not lag too far behind.

FC Pune City vs Bengaluru FC

Indian Super League semi-final first leg

Live from Balewadi, Pune

At 8 pm (Wednesday, March 7)

On Star Sports 2 and Hotstar

Source: ISL Media