Category: Indianfootball

This is a guest column by by Yogesh Maurya (Football coach), where he does a tactical analysis of the Bengaluru FC team.

Numbers up!  :

Given the outstanding qualities of centre halves John Johnson and Curtis Osano, BFC can push the current 4:3:3 and morph when beneficial into a 3:5:2 or 3:4:3 during phases of a match.  As the wing backs develop their confidence and tactical instincts further, they can push deeper into the middle and attacking thirds allowing for better build-up play and pressing in transition.  And even more dangerous at times, in a 3:4:3 we could see one of the wing  backs pushing up further inside and allowing the very talented wingers in Chhetri and Beingaichho to push further forward.

Kiss…the carpet that is..Keep It Simple Stupid! :

[ Though some would bet the Gaffer likes to substitute the final word! 🙂 ] There are some very talented players in the group, and none more so than current holding midfielder Johnny Menyongar. When BFC play through him on the ground, five to ten meters, we see composure, class and a gutsy risk taker in action. A perfect example was the second goal against Rangdajied United, when he struck a wonderful ball nearly 40 meters to the equally prepared Beingaichho who took it down in stride and took on his defender with conviction and swagger.

Counter attack!  :

The third goal against Rangdajied United demonstrated why BFC is going to be a lot to handle on the break.  Sunil Chhetri’s speed and clear comfort attacking with his shoulders square to the goal combined with Rooney’s rare gift of playing with his back to the goal on the wonderful turf pitch suits the guile this team has shown to play counter at will.

Pressing please! :

(Not the kit laundry man!) With classy center halves and Menyongar’s ability to play the first or second ball on the carpet in transition, BFC will press higher closing the gaps between the defensive unit and midfield much faster, and they can take that risk given the speed they have in midfield and the confidence with which the center halves are organized. Obviously the team will also get fitter as the games move forward. As one could see at pitch level, it was still quite warm. Let’s give the players credit for fighting through what is some heavy air…for all of Bangalore’s much celebrated greenery and great weather, the stadium is in the center of town and whether we like it or not, the players are coping with pollution just like the rest of us!

Looking forward to the next run of matches.

Yogesh Maurya  :

Was a United States High School All-American football player and represented the State of New Jersey as a player in the US Olympic Development Program throughout his teenage years. He has worked with some of the top coaches in US football like former US National Coach Bob Bradley, former US International Dieter Ficken and corever youth coach Tom Reilly