ISL 2018-19: Bengaluru FC 2-1 FC Pune City- 5 Talking Points

Bengaluru FC outclassed FC Pune City to pick up a 2-1 win at the Sree Kanteerava stadium in Bengaluru on Friday. Rino Anto and Albert Serran made their way for Erik Paartalu and Dimas Delgado for the home side. Whereas, for the visitors, Martin Diaz, Lalchhuanmawia Fanai, and Marko Stankovic made it to the starting lineup in place of Gurtej Singh, Sahil Panwar, and Ian Hume.

The home side took the lead at the 11th minute thanks to Udanta Singh's brilliant shot from inside the eighteen-yard box. However, FC Pune City levelled the things up four minutes later after Rahul Bheke slid the ball into his own net after a failed attempt to clear Stankovic's low cross. The scoreline remained the same until the 88th minute when Rahul Bheke made amends for his mistake earlier by connecting Harmanjyot Singh Khabra's cross.

This win takes Bengaluru FC to the top of the table with 19 points from 7 matches. FC Pune City, on the other hand, remain second from the bottom with five points from nine games.

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#5 FC Pune City exploited the wings

Stankovic tussles out Sunil Chhetri

The strong partnership between Juanan and Serran in Bengaluru's earlier matches ensured the opponents found it tough to penetrate through the centre. As a result, most of their attacks came through the wings. Despite Serran being out injured, FC Pune City resorted to the same tactic and even got a goal through it.

Marcelinho sent Stankovic through on the right side on the counter who tried to find Robin Singh with his low cross. A failed attempt to clear the ball saw Rahul Bheke slot the ball past Gurpreet to restore the parity for the away side.

This tactic was evident from the opening whistle itself as Ashique Kuruniyan forced the Bengaluru custodian to come out of his line and catch the ball in the opening minute. A neat interplay between Robin Singh, Marcelinho, and Stankovic on their right wing even forced the captain Sunil Chhetri to do defensive duties.

#4 The two goals gave Bengaluru FC the missing attacking impetus

Bengaluru FC players celebrate after Udanta Singh gives them the lead

The first ten minutes was all about FC Pune City as the quartet of Nishu Kumar, Juanan, Harmanjyot Khabra, and Rahul Bheke were on the backfoot. However, Udanta Singh's goal changed the whole complexion of the game.

Bengaluru FC saw more of the ball and it was Pune who was playing on the counter. Kamaljit had to force three saves within a span of two minutes to ensure the lead wasn't doubled. Even Bheke's own goal didn't halt the momentum of the home side as Dimas and Paartalu exploited the weak central midfield of Pune. They got chance after chance but Kamaljit stood tall in every occasion.

At the dying embers of the first half, Sunil Chhetri laid the ball for an onrushing Erik Paartalu whose left-footed shot from outside the box rattled the woodwork.

#3 Robin Singh continuously caught offside

Robin Singh performed miserably against his former teammates

Robin Singh didn't have the best of his game against his former club Bengaluru FC. He was caught offside a total of six times in the match.

The former Indian international's habit of sauntering behind the defensive line when the ball is with his team cost Pune dearly as he could have been fed one-on-one numerous time. If he plans to come from behind and use his muscle strength to get past the defenders, he needs to time it properly as otherwise, the plan would bear no fruits.

Furthermore, at the 15th minute when Stankovic tried to find him, he was in an offside position. It resulted in an own goal is a different story altogether. But, if Robin Singh wants to make his way back to the Indian team, he needs to improve on this aspect.

#2 FC Pune City defenders read the movements in the second half

Kamaljit and the back line ensured the game was even steven until the 88th minute

The attacking impetus from Bengaluru FC hadn't died out in the second half. Instead, it became more lively as the full-backs explored the opposite side of the pitch more often.

However, what made them wait until the 88th minute was FC Pune City's resolute defending. Adil Khan, in particular, was brilliant as he pulled up some vital interceptions and blocks. Matt Mills brilliantly organized the defence and other than the rare blemishes of Sahil Panwar, the Bengaluru players found it difficult to penetrate.

Martin Diaz and Ashutosh Mehta checked Sunil's runs and ensured he didn't get any open chance from Udanta Singh and Chencho's crosses and layoffs.

Bengaluru FC, too, can take the blame for waiting that long. They overcooked in the final third and hesitated in pulling the trigger.

#1 Bengaluru FC's tryst with late goals continue

Rahul Bheke found the back of both the nets

Bengaluru FC have scored five of their fifteen goals this season after the 75th minute, four of them coming in their last four games which turned out to be the winner. After Kerala Blasters, FC Goa, and Delhi Dynamos, it was FC Pune City's turn as Rahul Bheke gave the deathblow to the visitors.

Bengaluru could have walked away with the winner at the 84th-minute itself as Chhetri outfoxed Ashutosh Mehta and squared it for Thongkhosiem Haokip. However, the 25-year-old ran a little early and Adil Khan intercepted the ball. Three minutes later, Udanta's cross was heading into the path of Chhetri after Xisco dummied it, however, substitute Shankar Sampingiraj was in the right place at the right time.

But, the stalemate was finally broken at the 88th-minute after Harmanjyot Singh Khabra crossed the ball towards an unmarked Rahul Bheke. The defender became the hero from the villain as his goal sealed the deal. There is a magic at the Kanteerava which helps Bengaluru find late goals.