CALCUTTA (India): Bengaluru FC will look to extend their domination on Kerala Blasters in their Indian Super League match in Bangalore on Saturday.
The ISL resumes after an international break that saw six Bengaluru players feature for India.
“We are positive that the players who went on national duty have stayed active and are fresh for the game,” said Bengaluru coach Carles Cuadrat.
Carles added that their past matches against Kerala have been a good memory for his side, who played out a 2-2 draw in the same fixture last season.
“I’m waiting for this game because I hear that the stadium will be packed tomorrow. I have good memories of playing against Kerala over the last two years. It’s always good for football when there are so many supporters coming to watch,” said Cuadrat.
Fifth-placed Bengaluru have won three of their four games against Kerala and Cuadrat, who faced Eelco Schattorie four times last term when the latter guided the NorthEast United.
“We’ve deserved more from our first three games, but we have drawn confidence from the fact that we have controlled things on the pitch. We will be up against a tough team,” said Kerala coach Schattorie.
Bengaluru are one of the three teams that has remained unbeaten in the competition.
They had defeated Chennaiyin FC 3-0 in the previous match, and Cuadrat’s men have conceded just the one goal in four games.
Kerala had a winning start to the season, but struggled to maintain the momentum.
On the injury front, Cuadrat welcomed Serran back to training after the Spaniard missed out against Chennaiyin FC two weeks ago, but said that the medical team is working on getting Rahul Bheke ready after the defender suffered a muscle injury in the Oman-India game on Tuesday.
But the visitors has missed central defenders Jairo Rodrigues and Gianni Zuiverloon due to hamstring injuries while Spanish midfielder Mario Arques will also miss.
Striker Raphael Bouli returns to the side after suffering a concussion against Odisha FC.
