Match 61 Preview: Do-or-die contest as ATK Mohun Bagan, Bengaluru FC prepare to battle for semi-final spot
ATK Mohun Bagan will take the field against Bengaluru FC in Match 61 of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2021-22 season at the PJN Stadium, Margao, Goa on Sunday.
ATK Mohun Bagan will take the field against Bengaluru FC in Match 61 of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2021-22 season at the PJN Stadium, Margao, Goa on Sunday.
A battle for a contention in the top four, both teams are prepared to show their might and will look to pip ahead in the race as we near the end of the league stage of the 2021-22 campaign.
The Mariners shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw against Odisha FC in their last match, meaning they are yet to solidify their place in the top four. As for Bengaluru FC, three points is their only method to enter the top four, however, their qualification will still be dependent on results of other fixtures.
Head-To-Head
Having met on three occasions in the Hero ISL, ATK Mohun Bagan have gotten the better of Bengaluru twice whereas Bengaluru FC haven’t registered a single win against the Mariners. Their last outing ended in a 3-3 draw in Match 31, earlier this season.
Form Guide
ATK Mohun Bagan: WWWDD
Juan Ferrando’s men have been terrific of late, with three wins and two draws in their last five matches along with a 13-game unbeaten run. The Mariners will stop for nothing for the top spot in the league table. Currently at third place with 31 points in 17 games, a win on the cards will help them cut gap from Jamshedpur FC and Hyderabad FC to stay in the fight for League Sheild.
Bengaluru FC: WWLLW
The Marco Pezzaiuoli-led side had just found their rhythm which was broken down by Hyderabad FC and NorthEast United FC. With three wins in their last five matches, the Blues are sixth in the league standings with 26 points in 18 games, and a win is the only option to crawl their way up the table.
Team News
ATK Mohun Bagan
After behing handed a red card in the previous match against Odisha FC, Roy Krishna will sit this match out while David Williams is recovering from injury and his inclusion remains uncertain.
Bengaluru FC
In the official pre-match press conference, coach Marco Pezzaiuoli revealed that Suresh Singh Wangjam is ruled out for the season. He added that Jayesh Rane and Rohit Kumar are back in training. Danish Farooq is unavailable due to suspension.
Also read: Many youngsters from our system are waiting in the fringes: Bengaluru FC head coach Marco Pezzaiuoli
Key Players
ATK Mohun Bagan
Liston Colaco
The Goan has scored seven goals and assisted three in 17 matches. He is the leading Indian goalscorer this season and has had 24 shots on target till now.
Joni Kauko
The midfielder has three goals and five assists in 15 matches. He has an average passing accuracy of 81.81% and has completed 351 passes.
Bengaluru FC
Cleiton Silva
The striker has scored nine goals and made three assists in 17 matches. He has taken 21 shots on target with a shot accuracy of 45.65%.
Roshan Singh
The 23-year-old has a goal and seven assists to his name this season. He has the highest number of assists by a defender in Hero ISL 2021-22. Defensively, he has made 69 tackles, 34 blocks, 37 clearances, and 23 interceptions.
Key Stats
Can ATKMB extend their record?
ATK Mohun Bagan are undefeated in their last 13 matches. This is the longest unbeaten run in their Hero ISL history.
Crucial opening 15 minutes
ATK Mohun Bagan have scored the highest number of goals (9) in the first fifteen minutes of the matches. Bengaluru FC, on the other hand, have conceded joint-most goals (7) in the opening fifteen minutes of the matches.
Match timings and telecast details
Match: ATK Mohun Bagan vs Bengaluru FC
Date: February 27, 2022
Venue: PJN Stadium, Margao, Goa
Kick-off time: 7.30 pm IST
Telecast: Star Sports Network
Online Streaming: Disney+Hotstar and JioTV.