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It’s the D-day of Indian Super League 4, as the two finalists of this edition - Bengaluru FC and Chennaiyin FC prep up to go all guns blazing in today’s summit clash.
The Albert Roca-helmed Bengaluru FC, who made their maiden outing in the ISL this season has already turned it into a success story. The Blues topped the leaderboard in the league stages with a whopping 40 points and continued their sublime form to defeat Pune City in the semis to seal their final berth.
Chennaiyin, on the other hand, has managed an incredible turnaround in their fortunes from last season where they finished at the bottom half of the table.
The 2015 ISL winners will thus be keen to do an encore of their success as they take on a dominant Bengaluru side in the finals, in what promises to be a high-octane contest.
Bengaluru FC
The two-time I-League and two-time Federation Cup champions proved their mettle in the glitzy ISL too but have one final hurdle to cross before being declared the best in Indian football. And ahead of the final in Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, Blues head coach Albert Roca conceded that the game is extremely important for the club and the city.
However, BFC dealt a blow to their penultimate preparation as they will miss the services of Harmanjot Khabra and Collin Abranches for the final. Centre-back Subhasish Bose will also miss the game after receiving a one-game suspension for picking up four yellows.
Roca is expected to go with a 4-3-3 formation, employing Rahul Bheke and Nishu Kumar as the two full-backs with John Johnson and Juan Gonzalez as the central defenders. Lenny Rodrigues, Dimas Delgado, Erik Paartalu or Toni Dovale will make up the midfield, while the front-line will be charged by Sunil Chhetri, Miku and Udanta Singh
Bengaluru FC Predicted XI (4-3-3): Gurpreet, Bheke, Juan, Johnson, Kumar, Lenny, Paartalu, Delgado, Udanta, Chhetri, Miku.
Chennaiyin FC
With an experience of playing in the ISL finals, the southpaws will have an added advantage over their neighbours. However, they will face an uphill task to resist the inform Bengaluru squad in their own backyard.
Chennaiyin are expected to come in with a full squad and in all probability will be fielding the same XI as the FC Goa semi-final. Jeje Lalpekhlua once again starts as the lone forward while the midfield will be packed by Indians - Dhanpal Ganesh, Bikramjit Singh and Francisco Fernandes and two foreigners - Raphael Augusto and Gregory Nelson.
Skipper Henrique Soreno will lead the defence assisted by Mailson Alves, with Inigo Calderon and Jerry Lalrinzuala coming up as the two full-backs. Karanjit Singh will man the goal for the southerners.
Chennaiyin FX Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Karanjit Singh; Henrique Soreno, Mailson Alves, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Inigo Calderon; Bikramjit Singh, Raphael Augusto, Dhanpal Ganesh, Gregory Nelson, Francisco Fernandes, Jeje Lalpekhlua
