Former Cup winners Bengaluru FC, powered by the evergreen Sunil Chhetri, would look to safe a spot within the Indian Super League semi-finals after they host Mumbai City FC in a high-stake knockout conflict in Bengaluru on Saturday. The veteran ahead Chhetri, who not too long ago got here out of International retirement, has already transformed 4 penalties this season and will develop into the primary participant to attain 10 targets in opposition to Mumbai City FC in ISL historical past. Chhetri has scored eight targets in ISL playoffs — greater than every other participant within the competitors’s historical past — as he would as soon as once more look to make a distinction.
With targets in three of his final 4 playoff appearances, the Indian legend stays a significant menace to the Islanders’ backline.
Bengaluru completed third within the league standings with 38 factors from 24 matches, courtesy of 11 wins and 5 attracts. Mumbai City FC, alternatively, managed to scrape into the playoffs with a sixth-place end after a decisive 2-0 victory over the Blues on the ultimate matchday.
The high two groups — Mohun Bagan Super Giant and FC Goa this season — on the finish of the League stage will routinely qualify for the semi-finals. Teams ending between third and sixth will function in a single-leg knockout to find out the opposite two semi-finalists.
NorthEast United and Jamshedpur FC completed fourth and fifth within the league stage they usually face in opposition to one another on Sunday in Shillong to seal the final remaining semifinal spot.
Historically, Mumbai City FC have dominated this fixture in latest occasions, successful 4 of their final 5 matches in opposition to Bengaluru.
However, the hosts will take confidence from their dramatic penalty shootout victory over the Islanders within the 2022-23 semi-finals, the one earlier playoff assembly between the 2 sides.
Mumbai City have been rock-solid on the again, retaining 4 consecutive clear sheets in opposition to Bengaluru FC whereas scoring eight occasions in these matches.
Having recorded the second-most clear sheets this season (10), head coach Petr Kratky will depend on his defensive setup to frustrate Bengaluru’s assault.
Bengaluru FC, alternatively, have averaged a shot each 35.2 passes in ISL 2024-25, the very best ratio amongst all groups this season.
Mumbai City FC might want to disrupt their rhythm and deny them area in key attacking zones.
Mumbai City FC have received every of their final 4 playoff matches — the longest such streak in ISL historical past. A victory on Saturday would prolong that document and ship them into the semi-finals but once more.
Kratky already has three playoff wins below his belt. If his workforce wins, he’ll tie Sergio Lobera for the second-most playoff wins in ISL historical past (4), trailing solely Antonio Lopez Habas (six wins).
In phrases of head-to-head document, Mumbai City are method forward with 10 wins from 18 conferences, with Bengaluru FC managing six to their title. The remaining two had been attracts.
Bengaluru FC head coach Gerard Zaragoza exuded confidence in his workforce’s potential to ship below strain.
“It’s a totally totally different recreation. We are speaking about playoffs at Kanteerava. It’s an all-or-nothing recreation, and imagine me, we all know find out how to play these sorts of matches,” Zaragoza stated.
Mumbai City FC head coach Petr Kratky acknowledged his workforce’s progress and preparation.
“For me, it is a fully totally different competitors. We are enjoying for the ISL Cup. We have mirrored on what’s labored and what hasn’t, and we have labored onerous to repair our weaknesses,” he stated.
For Mumbai, defender Mehtab Singh has been instrumental within the workforce’s solidity, averaging 25.91 ahead passes per recreation — third-best amongst Indian outfield gamers this season.
He additionally boasts 18 interceptions, 51 duels received, and 97 clearances.
Spanish medio Alberto Noguera (Bengaluru FC) has registered a objective contribution in every of his final three dwelling video games and has been a key inventive drive with 5 targets and three assists in 22 appearances this season.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is printed from a syndicated feed.)
