Bengaluru FC are the form team as the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2023 enters the semi-final stage. The Hero ISL 2018-19 champions won their last eight league games to qualify for the playoffs after missing the knockout rounds in the previous two seasons before getting the better of Kerala Blasters FC in the knockout match.

Simon Grayson’s team started off the season slowly, collecting only 10 points from their first 12 games, and a berth in the playoffs seemed very unlikely. But the Blues' summer signings that included the likes of Roy Krishna, Sandesh Jhingan, Javi Hernandez, and Prabir Das finally clicked into gear to help script a great turnaround.

Bengaluru FC have the form and momentum which will be crucial against a difficult opponent in Mumbai City FC, who won the League Winners' Shield. 

The Blues are not short on experience when it comes to playing in the Hero ISL semi-finals. Right after making their debut in the 2017-18 season, Bengaluru FC made it to the last four in the very first season, before losing to Chennaiyin FC in the final. Next season they went all the way and finally won the coveted Hero ISL trophy. In the year 2019-20, they were knocked out by ATK Mohun Bagan in the semi-finals. 

Bengaluru FC will use their forwards' impressive playoff experience

Bengaluru FC boast the quality and luxury of having two of the most experienced and best performers in the Hero ISL at their disposal. Sunil Chhetri, one of the most important figures at the club, has made 11 appearances in the knockout stage with six goals to his name, scoring in the knockout game against Kerala Blasters FC, which made him the player with the most goals in the playoffs. Chhetri’s presence on the field against Mumbai City FC will be key, along with his goals and his ability to lead the side.

Top five scorers in the Hero ISL playoffs

Name

Matches

Starts

Minutes

Goals

Sunil Chhetri

11

10

963

6

Serigne Mourtada Fall

8

8

780

5

David Joel Williams

8

7

593

5

Jeje Lalpekhlua

8

8

710

4

Iain Hume

7

7

652

4

Apart from Chhetri in attack, Bengaluru FC can count on Krishna. Another player who has tons of experience with nine appearances in the Hero ISL knockout games is among the best assist providers in the knockouts. Krishna has five assists to his name which is the joint most by any player.

Top three assist providers in Hero ISL playoffs

 

Name

Matches

Starts

Minutes

Assists

Roy Krishna

9

9

768

5

Gregory Nelson

3

3

265

5

Udanta Singh Kumam

8

5

525

4

Krishna has also scored three goals in the playoffs, which is another positive for the Blues, who will not be short on numbers on the attacking front when they take on the Islanders in the first leg of the semi-final. Krishna, with his three goals and five assists, is right at the top in total goal involvements made in the playoffs with eight, while his teammate Sunil Chhetri comes in a close second with seven goal involvements.

Top five goal contributors in the Hero ISL playoffs

 

Name

Matches

Starts

Minutes

Goals

Assists

G+A

Roy Krishna

9

9

768

3

5

8

Sunil Chhetri

11

10

963

6

1

7

Jeje Lalpekhlua

8

8

710

4

2

6

Serigne Mourtada Fall

8

8

780

5

1

6

David Joel Williams

8

7

593

5

1

6

Along with Krishna and Chhetri, Sivasakthi Narayanan who has scored six goals and provided two assists in 17 games this season, will be key to Bengaluru FC's chances. But while all the focus is on their attack, their defence which comprises of experienced players like Sandesh Jhingan will be vitally important in the semi-final against free-scoring Islanders. A fascinating battle awaits.

Related tags:

Bengaluru FC2022-2023 Sunil ChhetriRoy Krishna