ISL 2018-19: How Have Bengaluru FC's Key Players Fared So Far?

The Indian Super League is two games old and there isn't much to separate most of the teams. No team has won two games yet and, as a result, there are now five teams tied on four points each.

Of course, it is early days in the season. But having watched most teams play 180 minutes, we do have an idea of how teams are set up to play and what we can expect from them going forward.

Last season's runners-up Bengaluru FC have played both their games at home but failed to take advantage and move to the top of the table. The Blues are currently fourth in the table due to a lower Goal Difference.

Although they did beat defending champions Chennaiyin FC in their opening fixture, they dropped two points right at the death against Jamshedpur FC - the only ISL team they are yet to beat at home.

We take a look at how their three key players have performed so far.

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#3 Gurpreet Singh

Gurpreet Singh has kept one clean sheet for Bengaluru FC so far [Image: ISL]

Standing tall at 6 ft 6 in, not much gets past Gurpreet Singh. A clean sheet in the first game was a perfect start for the custodian who found himself in a one-on-one situation not once but twice. Jeje Lalpekhlua was through on goal on both occasions but Gurpreet made himself big to make the Mizo Sniper think twice and make the wrong decision.

Gurpreet also handled a number of crosses into the box. With no clear way through the middle, Chennaiyin resorted to going wide and peppering the box with 17 crosses but even John Gregory said after the game that it was nothing but "catching practice" for Gurpreet.

Even against Jamshedpur, Gurpreet looked assured when catching low crosses and even putting his body on the line at times. However, the Indian national team goalkeeper was a mere spectator when the visitors scored twice in the second half to come away with a point.

Although Gurpreet wasn't really tested in the first half by Jamshedpur, the high defensive line proved to be the Blues' undoing. A lobbed ball behind the defence saw Gourav Mukhi beat Albert Serran for pace and slot the ball past Gurpreet who had no time to react.

When his team needed him the most, Gourav Mukhi came off the bench on his debut to draw @JamshedpurFC level👏👏👏#BENJAM #LetsFootball #FanBannaPadega pic.twitter.com/TvmfEIZLAc

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) October 8, 2018

The second goal was also the defence's fault with Gurpreet stranded on his line as Sergio Cidoncha fired it past him into the far corner.

While he was well-positioned to deal with a cross, the defenders failed to mark Cidoncha who had plenty of space to receive the ball and take his shot.

WATCH: Bengaluru FC 2-2 Jamshedpur FC | Highlights

#2 Sunil Chhetri

Bengaluru FC skipper Sunil Chhetri opened his account against Jamshedpur FC [Image: ISL]

Last season's ISL Player of the Year, Sunil Chhetri, was well dealt with by Chennaiyin's defence in their first fixture. The Blues skipper was largely isolated out on the left flank with veteran defender Inigo Calderon having the measure of him.

Whenever Chhetri received the ball, he was simply closed down and he struggled to impose himself on the game. It was one of the reasons why Bengaluru attacked a lot more through the right flank with Udanta Singh and Miku giving left-back Jerry Lalrinzuala a tough time.

However, Chhetri was far more involved in the second game against Jamshedpur FC as this game saw the Blues probe and attack through both flanks. The 34-year-old forward also drifted in towards the centre to get more involved.

His ability to hold on to the ball under pressure and vision to get the ball forward certainly helped the Blues in the early stages and his goal almost sealed a win in the 88th minute.

Harmanjot Singh Khabra spotted his skipper's run from deep and sent in a cross that saw Chhetri glance his header goalward and score. He almost made it 3-1 too after latching on to Miku's through ball but saw his effort come off the post.

#1 Miku

Miku scored the winner against Chennaiyin FC [Image: ISL]

Last season he was the highest-paid player in the league, and rightly so. The Venezuelan striker finished the season as the club's top goalscorer with 15 goals in 20 games, finishing second in the goalscoring charts to FC Goa's Ferran Corominas.

The man with LaLiga experience showed how much superior he is with the ball at his feet and continued to mesmerise the fans with nifty footwork that often left defenders in his wake.

The game against Chennaiyin saw the 33-year-old striker get himself back onside before latching on to Xisco Hernandez's through ball. It was all the invitation he needed as he blasted the ball into the top corner, giving the goalkeeper no chance to even get a fingertip to it.

Miku's brilliant strike against @ChennaiyinFC made all the difference for @bengalurufc in the South Indian Derby tonight The Venezuelan is the Hero of the Match.#LetsFootball #HeroISL #FanBannaPadega #BENCHE pic.twitter.com/e5UJ42wTxZ

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) September 30, 2018

The goal gave Bengaluru all three points and their first home win over Chennaiyin. Even in the second game, Miku was very busy working the channels, turning defenders, and creating space for Chhetri and Udanta.

In fact, he played what was undoubtedly the pass of the match when he released Chhetri with a through-ball that took out Jamshedpur's defence. And had Chhetri buried that chance, Bengaluru would have topped the table with a perfect record.