The Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season heats up as Bengaluru FC prepares to host East Bengal FC in league’s third fixture of the campaign at the iconic Sree Kanteerava Stadium.
Set to take place on Saturday, September 14, at 7:30 PM IST, this showdown between two of Indian football’s most storied clubs promises to be an electrifying contest with both sides looking to gather momentum in the early phase of the season.
Bengaluru FC’s Mixed Start
Bengaluru FC has been known for their resilience and strong performances, especially at home. Although their ISL season began with a win, the Blues faced a minor setback in their second game, losing narrowly. As they look to bounce back in front of their home crowd, their historical record of solid performances at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium offers hope. Under head coach Gerard Zaragoza, who took charge last season, Bengaluru FC has worked on tightening their defense, achieving four clean sheets in their last campaign.
Zaragoza, expressing confidence in his squad, said, “The players we wanted to sign are here, and we had a really good pre-season in terms of fitness and tactics.” The Durand Cup run earlier this year gave fans a glimpse of the attacking football the team is capable of. Even though they missed out on the playoffs last season, the squad’s promising new signings have raised hopes of a successful campaign. For Bengaluru, this fixture offers a crucial opportunity to reassert themselves and claim all three points.
East Bengal FC Looking to Build on Momentum
East Bengal FC, under the guidance of Carles Cuadrat, has had a rollercoaster start to the season. Despite being knocked out of the Durand Cup and facing challenges in AFC Champions League qualifiers, the Red and Gold Brigade have shown flashes of brilliance. Having secured their first win of the season in the previous match, East Bengal enters this fixture with renewed confidence and ambition to keep their momentum going.
Cuadrat, who led East Bengal to a Durand Cup final and Super Cup triumph, believes his squad has made strides towards improving their competitive edge. “We are building a squad and trying to improve from last season,” he said. With several key players showing potential in the early stages, East Bengal will aim to put in a strong performance and break their winless streak at the Kanteerava Stadium.
Key Players to Watch
Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC)
All eyes will be on Sunil Chhetri, who is just two goals away from becoming the second-highest scorer in ISL history. The iconic forward’s leadership and experience have always been pivotal for Bengaluru, and despite not scoring multiple goals in a match since February 2021, Chhetri remains a potent threat in front of goal. His ability to turn the tide in crucial moments could prove decisive in this fixture.
Alberto Noguera (Bengaluru FC)
Midfield maestro Alberto Noguera will be another key figure for Bengaluru. Known for his intelligence, work rate, and ability to unlock defenses, Noguera is expected to play a central role in Bengaluru’s attacking play. His vision and creativity will be crucial in breaking down East Bengal’s defense and creating goal-scoring opportunities.
Madih Talal (East Bengal FC)
For East Bengal, Madih Talal has been a standout performer, having impressed in his debut ISL campaign with Punjab FC. Talal’s creativity and ability to generate chances make him a vital cog in Cuadrat’s system.
After already demonstrating his playmaking skills, Talal will look to combine with the ISL Golden Boot winner Dimitrios Diamantakos to add more firepower to East Bengal’s attack.
Dimitrios Diamantakos (East Bengal FC)
As the reigning Golden Boot winner, Dimitrios Diamantakos is expected to lead the charge for East Bengal once again.
His presence in the box and ability to score from various positions make him a constant threat to Bengaluru’s defense. East Bengal will rely on his clinical finishing to breach a well-organized Blues backline.
Tactics and Strategies
Bengaluru FC, under Zaragoza, will likely adopt a possession-based approach, focusing on controlling the midfield through Noguera and utilizing the width provided by their full-backs. The home side will look to attack East Bengal on the wings, exploiting any space left by the Red and Gold Brigade’s defensive line.
On the other hand, East Bengal will depend on the creativity of Talal and the sharp finishing of Diamantakos to launch counterattacks. Cuadrat is known for his tactical acumen, and fans can expect East Bengal to defend deep while looking for quick transitions to catch Bengaluru off-guard.
Bengaluru FC vs East Bengal FC: Injury & Team News
Bengaluru FC
Gerard Zaragoza will have the luxury of a fully fit squad for this game, with all players available for selection.
East Bengal FC
Anwar Ali is sidelined due to his ongoing suspension, but aside from that, the entire squad is fit and ready for the match.
Bengaluru FC vs East Bengal FC: Head-to-Head Record
- Total Matches played – 17
- Bengaluru FC – 7
- East Bengal FC – 9
- Draws – 1
Bengaluru FC vs East Bengal FC: Predicted Lineups
Bengaluru FC Predicted Lineup (4-3-3)
- Goalkeeper: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
- Defenders: Nikhil Poojary, Rahul Bheke, Aleksandar Jovanovic, Naorem Roshan Singh
- Midfielders: Suresh Singh, Pedro Capo, Alberto Noguera
- Forwards: Shivaldo Singh, Sivasakthi Narayanan, Jorge Pereyra Diaz
East Bengal FC Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)
- Goalkeeper: Prabhsukhan Gill
- Defenders: Provat Lakra, Hijazi Maher, Lalchungnunga, Mark Zothanpuia
- Midfielders: Jeakson Singh, Saul Crespo, Madih Talal
- Forwards: Mahesh Singh, Nandhakumar Sekar, Dimitrios Diamantakos
Where and Where To Watch The Match
The 2024-25 Indian Super League season opener featuring Bengaluru FC and East Bengal FC is set to take place at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, 14th September. The match is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 PM IST. Fans can catch the live broadcast on Sports18, with streaming available on Jio Cinema. International viewers can tune in via the OneFootball app.
The Battle for Early Season Supremacy
With both sides eager to build momentum, this match represents a significant opportunity for Bengaluru FC and East Bengal FC to showcase their credentials for the ISL 2024-25 season. For Bengaluru, securing three points at home will help consolidate their position in the top half of the table, while for East Bengal, another win will signal a strong recovery and a statement of intent.
As the teams clash in this high-stakes encounter, football fans are set for an intense battle under the lights at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, where history and pride are on the line.
Read More:
- ISL 2024-25: Bengaluru FC Team Preview: Full Squad, Key Players, New Signings, Strengths and Weaknesses
- ISL 2024-25: East Bengal FC Team Preview: Full Squad, Key Players, New Signings, Strengths and Weaknesses
When is Bengaluru FC vs East Bengal FC?
The third match of the ISL 2024-25 between Bengaluru FC and East Bengal FC will be held on Saturday, 14th September at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru, from 7:30 PM (IST) onwards.
