Road to ISL playoffs: Distinct Identity under Carles Cuadrat and Superb Recruitment - 5 Things Bengaluru FC did Right to make semis

Miku

(right) of Bengaluru FC with CEO Parth Jindal

#3. Bengaluru FC core remains

Bengaluru FC have a distinct identity when it comes to their football and that's mainly because they have a core group of players who have stuck around.

Even though a couple of players left the club at the end of the 2017/18 season, Bengaluru ensured their main men remained.

Be it Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Erik Paartalu or Rahul Bheke, who have signed long-term deals, Bengaluru have rewarded faith and the players have given their 100 per cent on the field.

Midfielder Dimas Delgado stayed back and he's proven to be quite a handful for opposition defenders. Signing Miku was the biggest coup last season but Bengaluru went to all lengths to ensure the Venezuelan would stay for another season.

Miku had 15 goals in 20 matches last season and gave Ferran Corominas a fight for the Golden Boot. This season, his role for the club has evolved and although the number of goals has reduced (4 goals in 9 appearances), you cannot underestimate his influence in the attack. Miku had to miss a large part of the season due to injury but he hasn't looked back since his return to the squad.

Miku helped 10-man Bengaluru defeat Goa 3-0 last week and that performance alone justifies why he's one of the most feared attackers in the league.

Apart from Miku, familiar faces like Chhetri, Udanta Singh and Juanan have kept the team going.

Coach Carles Cuadrat doesn't tinker with his core much. He only likes to bring on changes (apart from the substitutes) in case of injury or suspension.

The rotation of players started only when Bengaluru were inching closer to the playoffs and even for that, Cuadrat rewarded players for their commitment in training.

All these factors have helped Bengaluru play a brand of football that relies on keeping possession and building up play from the back.