Chennaiyin FC and Bengaluru FC renew rivalries in search of first win

Bengaluru, November 9, 2019: Two-time Hero Indian Super League champions Chennaiyin FC renew rivalries with reigning champions Bengaluru FC at the latter’s home at Sree Kanteerava Stadium, both in search of their first victories in the new campaign. While BFC have begun the season with a hat-trick of draws, CFC have drawn one and lost two.

With bragging rights over the Southern Derby up for grabs, both teams understand the added importance of the game. And a number of away supporters are expected to make the journey from Chennai to Bengaluru, motivating the CFC squad further to get all three points.

In terms of team news, Bengaluru FC Head Coach Carles Cuadrat shared that defender Albert Serran will be out with a muscle injury. As for CFC, there are no injury concerns apart from striker Jeje Lalpekhlua who continues recovery on a knee issue.

Matches between both sides have seen lots of goals, action and talking points. CFC have played on three occasions at the Kanteerava, with a decent record of two wins and one loss. The second win being the big one of the ISL 2017-18 final, which ended in a memorable 3-2 victory.

Head Coach John Gregory has been lamenting his team’s lack of churning out results despite putting in some impressive performances. The lack of the killer touch in front of goal has left CFC clutching at straws.

“We’ve actually played very well, especially the two home games. We know we should’ve scored, we had very good opportunities. We should’ve got six points from those two games. BFC too have had similar fortunes, dominated games but not got the win. I’m relatively happy from the point of view that we’re creating chances. We just haven’t got the results on the board. Ultimately though, the results matter the most,” he said.

It was not lost upon John as well as Rafael Crivellaro, the extra zing the fixture carries, both of them stressing greatly on the rivalry between both sides.

“A win against BFC will surely boost us, definitely. The rivalry surely intensified with us beating them in the 2017-18 final. We beat them in the league too that year away from home. So we know there is a lot at stake. And obviously whichever team wins, gets the opportunity to make fun of the other team! Our players are well aware of what is at stake. It is a little bit more than just a football match. I am hoping that by 10 PM tomorrow night when I switch on the TV to watch Liverpool v Manchester City, I am hopefully sitting with a bottle of beer and three points,” he shared on a lighter note.

“We know it will be a very difficult match, it is a derby for us. We have been training very hard this week. We know we need to start getting points on the board. All the players are working collectively to change the situation we are in. We do know what BFC’s players are capable of, but we are more preoccupied about our team than the others. We have been working hard, and we have seen what we’ve done good and what we’ve done bad in the games so far. So all the focus is on the next match against BFC,” shared Rafael.