Road to ISL playoffs: Distinct Identity under Carles Cuadrat and Superb Recruitment - 5 Things Bengaluru FC did Right to make semis

Albert Roca (right), former Bengaluru FC coach, with current manager Carles Cuadrat

#5. Bengaluru FC's faith in Spanish Armada

Continuity is a problem that most of the ISL clubs face. Many sides play a certain way for a season and they had to adapt to a whole new style of coaching the subsequent season due to a change in personnel or philosophy.

In a certain way, Bengaluru avoided that by roping in Albert Roca's assistant Carles Cuadrat as the coach after Roca's departure.

Bengaluru had already adjusted themselves to playing possession-style football, preached by former Barcelona assistant Roca. When he departed, BFC either could go a new way or continue the process.

They chose the latter and that has resulted in Bengaluru dominating the league stage of the ISL for yet another season.

FC Goa similarly reposed faith in Sergio Lobera and a season later, this ISL is FC Goa's title to lose. Mumbai City similarly had Alexandre Guimaraes for two seasons before Jorge Costa took charge this time.

Two cases where this sort of continuity did not work is with Chennaiyin FC and Kerala Blasters.

That's mainly down to other teams figuring out the way Chennaiyin and Blasters would play. These coaches (John Gregory of Chennaiyin and David James of Kerala) offered no Plan B and did not adapt to the needs of the league.

Cuadrat, fortunately, is flexible. Cuadrat mainly dealt with set-pieces during Roca's stint with the club.

But that's not all he did. The Spaniard has continued Roca's process with BFC but has added a few of his own additions to keep his opponents guessing. Some of these adjustments include playing with a 5-man defence, exploiting the flanks and staging better counter-attacks.

Bengaluru go into the semifinals as one of the favourites to win the ISL. Can they go all the way?

ALSO SEE: ISL Points Table | ISL Schedule | ISL Results