ISL Analysis | Bengaluru FC schools Delhi Dynamos with 4-1 win

BySubhayan Dutta, SportsCafe Editor

11/26/2017

Bengaluru FC continued their winning start in their debut ISL campaign as they defeated Delhi Dynamos 4-1 in a one-sided game at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. After Erik Paartalu’s brace gave the hosts a commanding first-half lead, goals from Miku and Lenny Rodriguez sealed the match for the hosts.

Bengaluru rides high on amazing team chemistry

Bengaluru FC boast of something no other team in the ISL has - team chemistry. It is apparent how much that influences a side’s performance and if their first campaign turns out to be a successful one, the ISL teams will look to hold on to more players, something teams have hardly done in the first three season of the cash-rich league.

It was simple one-touch football with occasional high pressing that made things happen for the hosts. Almost every goal, that was scored, stemmed from the training ground regimes - the first two from set-pieces and the third one originating from an eye-soothing one-two. Albert Roca should also be credited for it as Erik Paartalu, who has been specifically taken for the ISL season, saw the side working impeccably to his strengths.

Despite ending up with Bengaluru only 47% of possession in the game, they managed to score thrice due to their ultra attacking mentality in the final third. However, their creativity in the last 25 was exceptional and it resulted in them taking an impressive 12 shots on target, 9 of them from inside the 18-yard-box. It was the performance of Delhi’s custodian Albino Gomes, that stopped the scoreline from being any more humiliating than it was for the visitors.

Albino Gomes shines behind a non-existing defence

With the hosts going gung-ho every chance they got, Delhi’s defence were caught off-guard on more than one occasion. Despite the defensive duo of Gabriel Cichero and Pratik Chowdhary pulling off 5 clearances, along with two blocks and as many interceptions each, it was not enough as Bengaluru’s incessant attack saw the hosts attempt 15 shots on goal as well as 16 crosses from the flanks.

The only reason for the game not turning into a full-fledged rout was the presence of Albino Gomes. Though the goalkeeper wouldn’t want to remember the game for the result but it was a performance he will surely not forget for a long, long time. He saved seven shots Bengaluru aimed at him along with claiming three of crosses and punching away six from the danger zone. Delhi would like him to play more long balls as their tactics of slow build-up from the back jeopardized their goal numerous times today and even led to the fourth goal.

The showstopper

Though Bengaluru’s display is the perfect example of team play, Erik Paartalu did stand out from the rest of the team. Not only did he meet the ball perfectly from the set pieces showing excellent use of his height and strength, he held the midfield brilliantly allowing Eduardo Martins and Lenny Rodriguez gamble up the field without caring about defending. As a result of this, the attacking midfield duo were able to create five chances and attempt four shots on target, with Lenny getting his name on the scoresheet as well.

Despite scoring a brace in the first-half that really set the game for the hosts, Paartalu’s real contribution came in the second-half, when Bengaluru were all spent for the first thirty minutes and still created chances thanks to a solid display by the Australian who maintained his passing accuracy of 65% and committed smart fouls (4), escaping a booking. With Bengaluru playing with five men in their offensive line, Paartalu had to fall back as the extra cushion for his backline to keep Delhi out.