Indian Super League: Bengaluru FC to face ATK today

Bengaluru: Bengaluru FC have set the standard in the Indian Super League and would want to finish on an unbeaten note before the league takes a break for the Asian Cup as they take on ATK at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Thursday.

Bengaluru are at the top of the league ladder and have a chance to extend their lead.

All eyes will be on John Johnson, who spent five years at Bengaluru FC and Eugeneson Lyngdoh, who was an integral part of the club for three seasons. While the English defender has continued to be a regular for his new side ATK, the same cannot be said for Lyngdoh, who has amassed a mere 23 minutes this season for ATK.

ATK come into the game on the back of a goalless draw in Guwahati. In fact, three of their last four matches have ended in goalless draws. They are the only side to have less than 100 shots in the league so far and only Delhi Dynamos have scored fewer goals in the league than ATK. Against a strong Bengaluru defence, it won’t be easy for Coppell’s men.

“We try to win every game. We don’t think about other options. I don’t know how to play for a draw. That will be the philosophy for tomorrow’s game,” said ATK head coach Steve Coppell.

Steve Coppell’s team are difficult to break down as they have defensively strong players in Johnson, Andre Bikey, Gerson Vieira and Pronay Halder. (IANS)

Also Read: Indian Super League (ISL): ATK, Goa share the spoils in tense battle