Bengaluru FC 2-1 FC Goa: 3 Reasons Why the defending champions won | ISL 2019-20

#2 Goa fail to capitalize on Hugo Boumous’ brilliance

Boumous (R) was brilliant for the Gaurs

The Frenchman has been in sparkling form for the Gaurs in the 2019-20 campaign, meaning that he has permanently consigned Edu Bedia to the bench. And, on Friday, Boumous was at his irresistible best as he orchestrated the visitors’ attacking play and injected the side with the requisite offensive impetus.

From the outset, the midfielder was a bundle of energy as he kept roaming across the pitch and kept finding himself in space. Subsequently, he either drove at the hosts’ defence or waited for his teammates to provide the adequate support before picking them out.

Throughout the encounter, he glided past his marker as the likes of Dimas Delgado, Erik Paartalu and Harmanjot Khabra found it tough to contain the Frenchman. Boumous even capped off his performance with a well-taken goal.

Apart from the midfielder though, the away side were quite wasteful as they passed up a host of chances, a trait that ultimately allowed Bengaluru to claw back into the encounter.

Jackichand Singh was guilty of spurning a couple of gilt-edged opportunities whereas Lenny Rodrigues also failed to control an exquisite through-ball by Brandon Fernandes in the first half.

Moreover, Mohammad Nawaz let his side down when called upon as he was culpable for both goals. While Chhetri’s header squirmed under him for the equalizer, he allowed the Indian skipper too much room at the near post, thereby allowing the forward to slot the ball past him.

Thus, Goa had somehow managed to undo their excellent work in the first half; a period where they controlled proceedings and completely put Bengaluru to the sword.

And, rather uncharacteristically, they failed to capitalize on their dominance, meaning that the hosts eventually edged past the visitors.