Internet Desk: Albert Roca is confident his side will put aside the blip the Blues suffered at the Fortress over the weekend and make their domination at home count when Bengaluru FC take on Jamshedpur FC, in Bengaluru, on Thursday.
The Blues slipped to second position on the table for the first time in the League when a late Dhanpal Ganesh goal gave Chennaiyin FC a 2-1 win and Roca says the team hasn’t spent too much time dwelling on what could have been. “We need a reaction and one that comes rapidly. We aren’t used to losing at home and we need to set that straight right away. Thursday presents us that chance,” said Roca at the pre-game press conference.
Jamshedpur’s cautious start to life in the ISL has seen Steve Coppell’s side concede just once in five games but they haven’t been a free-scoring team either. Izu Azuka’s winner against Delhi Dynamos is the only time they have found the back of the net and how Coppell decides to take the game to Bengaluru – who have an impressive record at home – remains to be seen.
Roca, meanwhile, has constantly shuffled his squad and Thursday doesn’t look like being any different. “We have players who had little or no part to play against Chennaiyin and they are fresh. I’m hoping they make it count.”
Bengaluru will be upbeat with captain Sunil Chhetri getting among the goals after a small lull that saw him go three games without scoring. The skipper has Miku and Udanta Singh for company in attack and the trio taking on what is statistically the best defence in the League, will be a treat to watch.
“It’s going to be important to know how to be defensive against a defensive side because they are likely to catch you on the counter and transitions play a big part in football. We have to respect Jamshedpur’s style and I’m certain it will be a tough battle for us tomorrow,” said Roca.