Bengaluru FC host FC Pune City in the second leg of the first semi-final of Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday. The teams played out a goalless draw in Pune, making it a winner-takes-all encounter in the return leg. The Blues, however, must win in normal time and will be wary of the fact that a scoring draw will see the Stallions qualify for the final on away goals.

HEAD TO HEAD

Bengaluru FC 1 – 0 FC Pune City (2 Draws)

KEY PLAYERS

Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC)

Bengaluru’s captain has shown scintillating form this season. His 10 goals in Hero ISL 2017-18 made him the first Indian to achieve the feat in a single season in league history. Chhetri has been at his deadly best, tearing apart opposition backlines with his intelligent runs and clinical finishing. He will hope to inspire his side to a win in the deciding leg of the semi-finals.

Marcelinho (FC Pune City)

The Brazilian has had another successful season where he has been free-scoring, while also being prolific when it comes to providing. Marcelinho has used his pace and dribbling ability to good effect to get the better of most outfits this campaign. He has bagged eight goals as well as seven assists and will look to be at his best when Pune visit Bengaluru.

POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS

Bengaluru FC

Albert Roca will probably use a 4-2-3-1 formation as he looks to edge Pune in front of Bengaluru’s vociferous home support.

Goalkeeper: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu

Defenders: Rahul Bheke, John Johnson, Juanan, Subhasish Bose

Midifelders: Sunil Chhetri, Erik Paartalu, Dimas Delgado, Lenny Rodrigues, Udanta Singh

Forward: Miku

Bengaluru’s head coach on their opponents of the night: “Pune have a very strong team and they have the players who can make a difference. So in Pune, we just wanted to get a clean sheet because we knew it would give us, if not more advantage, but more options for our game. I can just hope for my team to score goals tomorrow as that is the only way we can make it to the Final.”

FC Pune City

Ranko Popovic may also field a 4-2-3-1 formation, which should offer his side a solid foundation to grow into the contest.

Goalkeeper: Vishal Kaith

Defenders: Sahil Panwar, Rafael Lopez, Manuel Jesus, Gurtej Singh

Midfielders: Marko Stankovic, Adil Khan, Marcelinho, Rohit Kumar, Ashique Kuruniyan

Forward: Emiliano Alfaro

Pune’s assistant coach Vladica Grujic on the team’s mindset: “We as a team know how to win, what are our strong points and our mindset will be like that of a final match. Our players know that they have to give everything on the pitch tomorrow if they want to win.”

KEY STAT

  • Both of Bengaluru’s draws this season have come against Pune

PREVIOUS ENCOUNTER

FC Pune City 0 – 0 Bengaluru FC (7th March 2018 at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium in Pune)

FORM GUIDE

Bengaluru FC: D W W D W

FC Pune City: D D L D W