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Two-time I-League champions Bengaluru FC will make their bow in ISL 2017 with the tournament being expanded this time. As one of the established sides in Indian football, it will be intriguing to note how Bengaluru progress in the ISL and if they can carry their I-League success over to the ISL.
That said, here's why we think they stand a good chance at winning the title.
Success at every level
Bengaluru FC have been in this situation before. They are the only club in the history of Indian football to have won the league title in their debut season. As a brand new team, Bengaluru achieved this feat in the 2013-14 season. They went on to show that their debut success was no fluke by winning the league again in 2015-16.
They are also the only Indian side to have made the final of the AFC Cup, where they finished runners-up to Iraqi side Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya.
The two I-League seasons, where they didn't win the title, they finished second and fourth respectively, showing their strength as one of the top teams in the country.
They will be bringing that winning pedigree to the ISL, which will serve them well as they look to make another memorable debut.
Playing to a philosophy
Bengaluru’s two I-League triumphs came under former Blackburn Rovers assistant manager Ashley Westwood. In the three years under Westwood, Bengaluru played pacy, attacking, direct football, which bagged them the two league titles as well as a Federation Cup win.
Albert Roca has taken over since Westwood's departure, and while they finished a disappointing fourth in his first I-League campaign last time around, they did win the Federation Cup again and he guided them to the AFC Cup final. The style changed under Roca to more possession-based approach.
Under both Roca and Westwood there has been a clear philosophy, and a playing style, which the team has stuck to. When teams are clear on how they want to play and have an identity, it sets them up for success.
In comparison to the existing ISL teams where there is a coaching change almost every season and so much chopping and changing of personnel, Bengaluru’s adherence to one particular style may help them nudge the other sides out.
The loan system Blues
Earlier players would switch between the ISL and I-League whenever one of the seasons got done with. I-League teams such as Bengaluru would snap up ISL players on loan deals and this integration wasn't always the easiest.
Bengaluru won't have that problem anymore. They can look to work on a settled side and considering the season is around five months long this time around, it can help to build the rhythm, something they struggled with in their last I-League season.
Solid defensive partnership
Experienced centre-backs John Johnson and Juan Antonio were amongst the six players retained by Bengaluru ahead of the pre-season draft.
The two defenders have been key lynchpins of the side around whom the team is set up. The success of that partnership will go a long way in determining how far the team goes during the season.
Apart from their seasoned defensive work, they also have the knack of chipping in with crucial goals especially from set pieces.
Lightning quick up front
Amongst the other players retained were club and India captain Sunil Chhetri and young attacker Udanta Singh.
Together with Daniel Lalhlimpuia, they form perhaps one of the most pacy and most potent attacking trios, especially on the counter. They have also signed Venezuelan hitman Miku, who has been plying his trade in the Spanish Leagues.
This is, of course, even without mentioning Chhetri, who even into his thirties, remains one of the best strikers in the country. Last season, he was guilty of missing a lot of easy put-aways. He will be keen to make amends this time around.
