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Bengaluru FC brushed aside Delhi Dynamos 4-1 in Sunday's second ISL match. The home side dominated from the get-go and looked at ease all night long. Delhi attempted to outplay their opponents and paid a heavy price for adopting the wrong tactics. Here are the major talking points from tonight's one-sided affair.
#1 Delhi refuse to be pegged back by Bengaluru
Playing away from home against a menacing Bengaluru FC outfit, it would have been completely understandable for Delhi Dynamos to sit back and absorb the pressure. Instead, they bravely took the game to Bengaluru in their own backyard.
The home side began well and attempted to push Delhi deep into their own half and created some great chances. However, the visitors surprised by going on the offensive themselves, every time they got the opportunity to do so. They committed numbers in attack and were not afraid to pass their way towards Bengaluru's goal.
#2 The importance of Lenny Rodrigues cannot be understated
While Bengaluru FC have numerous international names in their line up, there are a number of established Indians in their starting eleven as well. But tonight, Lenny Rodrigues showed why he remains an irreplaceable figure in this stellar lineup.
Playing as a holding midfielder, Lenny sprayed the ball across the park with confidence. At the same time, he covered the yards and pressed Delhi's midfielders all night long. Rodrigues holds a unique position for Bengaluru. He's the glue that sticks his teammates together. Positioned just around the centre circle, Lenny provided some much-needed cushion to his centre-backs.
#3 Sunil Chhetri not in the thick of things, yet is vital for Bengaluru
Bengaluru's captain, Sunil wasn't in the thick of things. However, when the game of stretched, Chhetri came to the fore. His defence-splitting pass for Udanta, opened the way for Lenny to score the third goal of the match.
He then teed up Miku for his first goal in a BFC jersey. Sunil is the kind of player who might seem absent for large parts of the match. But he has the ability and the skills to transform his form with just one move and it was evident tonight, not once but twice.
#4 Delhi tried but did not have enough in their arsenal
The score line seems flattering but there is no doubt Bengaluru deserved every one of their three goals. But on close observation, it was clear that Delhi tried and tried hard to make an impact.
Unfortunately for them, their players just didn't show enough creativity and confidence in the final third of the pitch. The visitors never seemed like they could score and Bengaluru's back four looked at ease all night long. Ultimately, it was down to quality and man for man, Bengaluru have the better players in their starting eleven.
#5 Early days but is the ISL too easy for Bengaluru?
Social media was abuzz with debates about the quality of ISL teams compared to the I-League. It's still early days but if things continue like this, Bengaluru could possibly breeze through their debut season in the ISL.
They've played two matches, scored five and conceded just one. They looked extremely comfortable against Mumbai City FC and looked even more relaxed against Delhi Dynamos. Bengaluru never had to play in second gear.
They got the job done without having to be at their best. It's scary to think what they could achieve if they do play to their maximum potential. Sunil Chhetri hardly made an impact, imagine with him in form; what could possibly transpire?
