ATK 3 (3) -1 (2) Bengaluru FC: 5 Talking Points & Tactical Analysis as ATK book final berth | ISL 2019-20

#1 Bengaluru’s scoring blues ultimately come back to haunt them

Sunil Chhetri (L) endured another frustrating night (Image: ISL)

In the 2018-19 season, Bengaluru FC established themselves as a relatively free-scoring side and often out-scored teams on their way to the title. However, in the current campaign, they’ve been anything but that and have labored to numerous victories with their defensive solidity ensuring that they made the top four.

On Sunday though, their scoring blues were laid bare for everyone to witness as they failed to trouble ATK and eventually bowed out of the competition.

For large swathes, the visitors lacked ideas and their build-up play seemed lethargic and predictable. More alarmingly, there was also a considerable lack of movement in the final third, meaning that the midfielders were only presented with lateral passing options.

Unsurprisingly, they had to again rely on set-pieces and counter-attacking situations for openings. And, once ATK had eradicated those avenues, the defending champions struggled to impose their identity on the match.

Since their inception in the ISL, BFC have always represented a team that prides itself on the way it preaches an attractive brand of football. However, under Carles Cuadrat, especially in 2019-20, they’ve prioritized calculation over creativity regularly.

And, when push came to shove at the Salt Lake Stadium, the Blues just couldn’t rally their offensive game together to create a substantial imprint, meaning that they crashed out of the tournament.