The host Pune city took on the last year runners up of Indian Super League Bengaluru FC in the Shri Shivchhatarapati Sports Center, Baledwadi. Pune city had to get their season up and running with having not picked up a win yet in the Indian Super League season 2018-19. They have only picked up a point this season which is a draw against Mumbai City FC. On the other hand Bengaluru FC looked to bounce back from a draw against Jamshedpur FC, who snatched the match away from Bengaluru FC in the amidst of the game.
Bengaluru FC looked the more hungrier side to snatch the three points right from the off. They created a lot of chances in the early stages of the game. Udanta put few few crosses in with Chhetri being the target a couple of times. His crosses were not upto the mark few times. Chhetri did get end of a delightful cross by Udanta but failed to convert the chance. The disappointed of him not converting the chance last for hardly a minute, he got himself behind the defense to put the ball behind the net to give Bengaluru FC the lead. The first half came to a close with Bengaluru FC leading 1-0. It had been poor defending by Pune FC the entire half allowing Bengaluru FC to create a lot of chances.
We expected Pune City to play better football in the second half but it didn’t happen as we expected it to happen. Bengaluru FC continued to dominate the match and continued to create chances. Chettri cut inside on his right to get his second goal of the night, Miku wrapped up the proceedings by scoring the third goal of the night. Chhetri could have got himself a hat-trick had he converted the free-kick in the ending stages of the game.
Talking points of the match :
Pune City’s Defense :
Pune City defending was not upto the mark at all. They let Bengaluru FC really easily . Although both the teams had equal amount of possession, Bengaluru FC created more chances. They looked the more threatening side. Pune City defence was all over the the place. They did change the tactics in the later stages of the game. Ashish played as a full back. Pune City have to go back with their defense practice and see to that they do it better.
Chettri’s gameplay :
Chhetri had a good game against Pune yet again. He could have got himself second hat trick against them. He had a couple of chances to do so . He had clean header which should have been converted and also a clean chance from Udanta’s cross. He is not getting old with age, it just seems like he’s getting younger with the determination he shows every time he steps on the field. He tries to help the team as much as he can. He proves it to people each why he is a captain leader legend.
Bengaluru FC’s Away Form :
Bengaluru FC continued their brilliant away form which they had last season. They lost only two away games last season. They kick started their away record this season by winning the first away game of the season. They kept a clean sheet which is really important, it will help them to build confidence for the coming games. They are at the top of the table with 7 points, goal difference being the only difference between them and North East United.
Pune City’s Performance :
Pune city have a lot to do in the training ground. They are yet to win a match, it is only getting frustrating in the camp and for the fans. They were offside so many times today when they tried to create a chance. They need to improve a lot in defense for them to survive in the tournament this season. They made it really easy for Bengaluru FC.
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu’s Performance :
