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

Carles Cuadrat is leading Bengaluru FC for the third year running, a feat not accomplished by many in India. The Barcelona academy graduate has maintained high standards throughout his tenure and made Bengaluru one of the most impermeable teams in the Indian Super League.

They faced two-time league winner Chennayin FC, who are led by the Hungarian Csaba László. While the tactical aspects of the match are explored, it will be too soon to judge a team even though they were the finalists of last year.

In this tactical analysis, we will examine the tactics of both Bengaluru and Chennaiyin. The following analysis will dissect match events and correlate them with the final result.

Line-ups

Cuadrat ditched the newly adopted 3-4-3 and went back to his preferred 4-3-3. Indian international Gurpreet Singh Sandhu started in goal. Harmanjot Khabra, Rahul Bheke, Juanan and Aashique Kuruniyan formed the back four. Erstwhile La Liga midfielder Dimas Delgado, Suresh Singh Wangjam and Erik Paartalu collectively played in the midfield three. Sunil Chhetri, Deshorn Brown and Cleiton Silva played upfront.

Chennaiyin started in a 4-3-1-2 formation with Vishal Kaith playing between the sticks. The back four comprised of Reagan Singh, Eli Sabiá, Enes Sipović and Jerry Lalrinzuala. The midfield three had Deepak Tangri, Anirudh Thapa and Lallianzuala Chhangte. Esmaël Gonçalves (Isma) and Jakub Sylvestr led the line with Rafael Crivellaro playing behind them as the attacking midfielder.