ISL 2023-24: Match 1 Review of Kerala Blasters FC vs Bengaluru FC
A slow burner that entertained in pieces
The season opener for the 10th edition of the Indian Super League opened up to much fanfare at the home of the Kerala Blasters FC in Kochi. The visitors Bengaluru FC came in with the intent to cause an upset for the home fans. If so, the lineup and formation surely reflected that.
If I was a betting man, the below lineup would be a clear indicator of the intentions of each team.
Team Line Up
Here’s how both the teams lined up -
Kerala Blasters FC (Home)
Line up (Starting XI) - Suresh (GK), Dohling (LB), Drincic (LCB), Kotal (RCB), Das (RB), Aimen (LM), Farooq (CM), Singh (CM), Sakai (RM), Luna (CF), Peprah (CF)
Formation - 4-4-2
Bengaluru FC (Away)
Line up (Starting XI) - Singh Sandhu (GK), Carneiro (LWB), Damjanovic (LCB), Jovanovic (CB), Singh (RCB), Bhutia (RWB), Wangjam (LM), Veendorp (CM), Kumar (CM), Narayanan (CF), Williams (CF)
Formation - 5-3-2
As the teams face each other, it is evident that the KBFC lineup had enough to trouble the back 5 of Bengaluru FC. The question remained whether there would be enough composure to take the chances.
A Slow Burner Start
Kerala Blasters FC started the game on the front foot. The heavy rains made for a slippery spectacle with both teams playing high line for their defence. The passing was slick from both teams but lacked any sort of coordination in the final third.
This was emphasized by the bizarre attempt from the right wing of the Bengaluru FC by unlikely source Singh (No. 32) to chip the KBFC keeper Suresh who was just off the line from his goal.
To complement the Bengaluru attempt, the KBFC striker Peprah (No. 14) tried a wild swing which fairly landed in the crowd. The attempt was made possible by a series of successful passes around the opposition box.
The game was crying out for some quality and the Half-Time was the right moment to talk that into both teams.
All guns blazing & some chaos
At half-time, both the coaching staff would be happy to get the players in the dressing room. They needed to put their point across to make the game interesting, which it promised to be at the kick-off.
The first real threat came in right in the first minute of the second half when the KBFC right back Das (No.33) galloped on the right wing to whip a delicious cross across the Bengaluru six-yard box. It caused uncertainty within the Bengaluru back line and the keeper but neither of the two KBFC strikers could manage to get to the end of it. A real chance wasted.
It wasn’t until a set piece at the 51st-minute mark that the game threatened to come alive again. KBFC whipped a delightful corner into the near post of Bengaluru FC's box for the big guys to attack, and they did exactly that. Danish Farooq attacked the cross ferociously only to completely miss making contact but the Bengaluru FC midfielder behind him wasn’t as lucky and managed to head the ball into his own net.
51’ KBFC 1 - 0 Bengaluru FC (Veendorf (own goal))
The first goal of the ISL 2023/24 ironically is an own goal by Veendorf. We are off the mark though and it can only get better.
Step Lightly And Surely
How many times have we heard the coaches insist on improving first touches for each and every player? Maybe not enough, especially for a seasoned professional.
An innocent back pass intended to initiate a build-up for Bengaluru turned into a nightmare when the keeper Singh Sandhu (No.1) couldn’t control the power on his first touch. A bit too far and there was a familiar face to punish this error.
Luna (No.10) who has been lurking and threatening to contribute in the game finally managed to get enough boot to side-foot the heavy touch from Sandhu for a second goal.
69’ KBFC 2 - 0 Bengaluru FC (Luna).
The Scrubbings on the Tactics Board
The coaches had to react. Simon Grayson knew something had to change after that first goal. He quickly pounced onto the bench to pluck the replacements -
65' - Javi Hernández for Keziah Veendorp
65' - Curtis Main for Aleksandar Jovanović
65' - Parag Shrivas for Namgyal Bhutia
Before the substitutions had any impact, the goalkeeper error handed a cushioned advantage to the KBFC which prompted more changes from the Bengaluru FC coach -
77' - Monirul Molla for Rohit Kumar
77' - Harsh Patre for Sivasakthi Narayanan
It was time for KBFC assistant coach Frank Dauwen to respond and so he did to maintain this healthy KBFC lead -
79' - Freddy Lallawmawma for Mohammed Aimen
88' - Nihal Sudheesh for Daisuke Sakai
88' - Vibin Mohanan for Danish Farooq
It was time to see this through until the end for KBFC.
A Flutter of Hope
Amidst the barrage of changes from both sides, the game was carried out devoid of any rhythm. The midfield toiled while the strikers chased down the bits and pieces of supply they could get from their midfielders.
The coaches like to take the credit when substitutions work in their favour. It is deserved so, most of the time.
Monirul Molla and Curtis Main combined on the break to score the opener for Bengaluru FC at the tail end of the game. There was hope and there was something to fight for for Bengaluru FC.
90’ - KBFC 2 - 1 Bengaluru FC (Curtis Main)
Parting Thoughts
The game threatened to entertain and managed to keep the interest alive for 90’ minutes. In the end, the season opener was deservedly won by the KBFC with 2 goals to 1 against Bengaluru FC.
There is work to be done by both teams. One thing is for sure, it can only get better for Bengaluru FC. The return of the star striker will help but more needs to be done from the supply channels and a rethink might be needed on the tactics board.
For KBFC, the win is a good start to their campaign and certainly a lot of positives to take and improvements to be made for a successful campaign.
The season has just begun.
The Statistics
If you liked the above post, please consider sharing it with interested friends and fellow Footie enthusiasts.
For more such reads,