ISL 2018-19: Bengaluru FC 1-0 ATK – 5 Talking Points

Bengaluru FC kept their unbeaten run intact in the ISL with a 1-0 win over ATK at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Thursday. A 36th-minute header from Erik Paartalu was enough for the home side to get back to winning ways after two consecutive draws.

The match was a thoroughly entertaining affair as both the sides had their chances. It was Bengaluru who were successful in making their only opportunity count. Paartalu’s goal was the only shot they had on target.

ATK, despite putting up a better show, had to leave empty-handed. The Kolkata side were definitely the better side on the pitch with some impressive counter attacks and passing football. However, missing plenty of chances ultimately cost them the match.

With the win, Bengaluru consolidated their top position on the table. They now have 27 points from 11 matches, six clear of the second-best Mumbai City FC. ATK are languishing at the sixth place with 16 points from 12 encounters and need to pull off all sorts to qualify for the playoffs.

Let us look at the five talking points of the match:

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#5 Attacking brands of football but ATK must rue missed chances

For the first round of matches this season, ATK coach Steve Coppell opted for safety first strategy, much like his predecessors. It means, concentrating on your defence and then try to score. That hasn’t worked out so far though, as ATK have conceded 11 goals, one more than what they have scored.

So for a change against Bengaluru, ATK opted an attacking strategy as the coach promised a day earlier that they will fight for the three points. ATK could have fulfilled their aim, had there been two goals by their name.

But to be honest, ATK dished out an impressive game of football, the reason why the match looked an exciting affair throughout. Remembering their goalless draws against FC Goa and Mumbai City FC in recent times – that last of which could easily be termed as the most boring match of the tournament – this was much better.

ATK came with a purpose, to keep their opponents busy with clever moves. They did it perfectly, pushing their opponent to the final line. But a goal remained elusive for them.

They got chances. Balwant Singh missed four, Jayesh Rane, Everton Santos even Manuel Lanzarote could’ve found the scoresheet but their profligacy deprived ATK of a deserved win.

#4 Nine corners but no goals by ATK

Manuel Lanzarote failed to whip in useful crosses from set-pieces [Image: ISL]

Nowadays, teams often target set-pieces as their main weapon to score. Tall and large footballers are becoming valuable parts for every team. In ATK, they have some of the best footballers who can head it to the goal from a corner.

Against Bengaluru, ATK got nine corners in the whole match. In modern games, every opportunity counts. But ATK doesn’t think so, maybe.

The way they wasted the corners was worrying. Not even a single one was taken with an aim to get a goal from it. Manuel Lanzarote should be made responsible for this. He is the same person who scored directly from the corner against Jamshedpur FC.

But on Thursday, most of his deliveries were short, failed to find any of his teammates and easily cleared away by cautious Bengaluru defenders.

To get goals, ATK must use every opportunity and a corner is not an exception. There should be a definite purpose before a corner from now on.

#3 ATK, Bengaluru need a number nine

Xisco Hernandez flattered to deceive up front in the absence of Miku [Image: ISL]

As Miku is injured now, Bengaluru are terribly missing a perfect number 9 now who can hold the ball inside the box and put it inside the back of the net.

It’s true that they are winning and still unbeaten in the tournament. But their inability in front of goal is visible for everyone to see. They might be riding on individual skills, but that will not win them every game. The recent draws against Mumbai City FC and NorthEast United FC are a proof of that.

Bengaluru’s talisman Sunil Chhetri likes to operate from the wings, so does Udanta Singh. In that case, Chencho Gyeltsen can be useful as a central forward. Chencho has even shown his skills with the bicycle kick goal against NorthEast United. But he hasn’t earned the trust of coach Carles Cuadrat yet.

ATK are also suffering from the same problem. Since the sudden departure of Kalu Uche, coach Steve Coppell has tried various options. But none of them worked. Uche’s replacement Alfaro was injured even before his first appearance and Eli Babalj has not impressed so far.

Coppell has no option other than using Balwant or Santos in a more attacking position. But that has not helped their cause.

#2 Refereeing blunders deprives Bengaluru of two penalties

The referees had another forgettable day at the office [Image: ISL]

Referee Tejas Nagvenkar has already been in the headlines this season for wrong reasons. It seems, he hasn’t learnt from his mistakes as his ‘performance’ was more impressive than any of the players on the pitch.

The first incident occurred during the 15th minute of the match. Bengaluru got a foul after Sunil Chhetri was brought down just on the edge of the box. Chhetri took the free-kick which hit on the left hand of Andre Bikey, who was standing as a part of the wall.

Despite repeated appeals, Nagvenkar paid no attention and continued the play. The second incident occurred moments later. Kean Lewis crossed a ball from the left towards Udanta Singh. Ricky Lallawmawma was out of position and in a desperate attempt to block Udanta, the ball touched on his left hand.

It was again overlooked by the referee and surprisingly Bengaluru players too didn’t appeal this time, perhaps knowing the outcome beforehand. But the replays showed it was a clear penalty.

#1 Time running out for Balwant

Balwant Singh missed a lot of chances in the game [Image: ISL]

This was the last match for ATK before the long international break starts for the Asian Cup from Monday. As a result, this was also the last match for Balwant Singh, who will now don the India colours.

But what a frustrating match he had endured against Bengaluru. In the second half, he got at least four clear-cut chances, all of them could’ve been used to score. Balwant would’ve turned hero had he utilised all of that.

Early in the second half, he got a good ball on the left side and had the angle to place a shot on goal. Rather, he opted for a cross and the chance got wasted. After a few minutes, he sprinted ahead before everyone to meet a brilliantly taken free-kick from Lanzarote but his strike went over the bar. This was a golden chance and even Coppell was seen shaking his head in disbelief after the miss.

Balwant was working hard on the pitch and tried to get a goal in every opportunity. He was caught offside six times. Perhaps luck was not with him.

He is among the 34 probables for the Asian Cup and will surely take the flight to UAE next month. But considering the form he is in (just one goal from 12 matches), it will be a difficult task for him to motivate himself before such a big tournament.