Indian Super League 2020/21: FC Goa vs Bengaluru FC

The enthralling fixture lived up to its pre-game hype. FC Goa and Bengaluru FC are one of the most successful clubs in the Indian Super League and the two clubs came head to head in the Fatorda Stadium on Sunday night.

The new-looking FC Goa side struggled to build-up in the first half. Juan Ferrando made few substitutions in the second half to bring back the Gaurs to life. Bengaluru FC had many familiar faces and Carles Cuadrat looked to have a set plan of sitting back and counter the Gaurs.

In this tactical analysis, we will discuss the tactics of both the managers. This analysis will also delve into why FC Goa struggled to build-up in the first half and what changed in the second half.

Line-up

Juan Ferrando started with his preferred 4-2-3-1. Seriton Fernandes, James Donachie, Iván Garrido González, and Sanson Pereira shielded Mohammad Nawaz in between the sticks. Lenny Rodrigues and Edu Bedia acted as the double pivot. The front four consisted of James Oritz, Princeton Rebello, Seminlen Doungel, and Igor Angulo.

Carles Cuadrat started with a 3-4-3 formation on paper. However, out of position, he instructed his players to play in a hybrid of 4-5-1 and 5-4-1. The regular Gurpreet Singh Sandhu started in between the sticks. He was protected by Udanta Singh, Harmanjot Khabra, Fran González, Juanan, and Ashique Kuruniyan in defense. Suresh Singh Wangjam and Erik Paartalu, former Brisbane Roar player, manned the midfield. Sunil Chhetri, Cleiton Silva, and Kristian Opseth led the attack.

Goa’s press and Bengaluru’s build-up

FC Goa pressed in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-4-1 midblock depending upon the dynamics of the game with Rebello marking or cover shadowing the ball-near pivot, Angulo covering Bengaluru’s backline, Edu Bedia marking the ball-far pivot, and Lenny sealing the press by sitting a bit deeper than his midfield compatriot to reduce the distance between the second line of defence and the last line of defence.