But Cuadrat said his team knows better than to let two games decide the way their opponents would turn up in what’s always been a keenly contested fixture. “Games against Pune City have always been tough and I expect nothing different this time around. I met Miguel (Portugal) during our course to renew our UEFA licenses in Madrid two weeks ago and he mentioned how pleased he was with the attacking options he has at his disposal. They will look to turn a corner against us and we need to be cautious enough,” said the Bengaluru coach on the eve of the fixture. 

The last time the two sides met was in the second leg of the semifinal at the Kanteerava where a Sunil Chhetri hat-trick in a 3-1 win ended Pune City’s run in the tournament. The biggest change for Pune City since then, has been the appointment of Portugal, who previously had a stint with Delhi Dynamos. While he attempts to bring his brand of possession-based football to Pune, the Spaniard will be keen to deliver the club its first win over Bengaluru. In the four times the teams have played each other, Bengaluru has two wins while two games ended in draws. 

For Pune City, the game could mark the return of striker Marcelinho to the starting XI. The Brazilian missed out on the game with Delhi owing to a suspension and was brought on as a second half substitute against Mumbai City. He, along with Uruguayan attacker Emiliano Alfaro, formed a potent threat last season and Pune City will look for an encore from the duo.