XtraTime Web Desk: The ISL 2019-20 season appeared to be a mouth-watering one for the Indian football fans. Like the coaches, the forwards, the midfielders, the goalkeepers, the defenders too had a terrific season. Here we find the top three defenders who came out as nightmares for the attacking players.
Juanan – Bengaluru FC
A model of consistency, the Spaniard was a major reason behind Bengaluru keeping a league-high 11 clean sheets and conceding the least number of goals in the division. The 32-year-old was the only constant in the centre-back department for the Blues, with Rahul Bheke and Albert Serran both missing games due to injury and suspensions. Juanan played 19 matches, scoring one goal and his passing accuracy was close to 80%. While his defensive stats featuring 138 clearances, 24 tackles, 15 interceptions and 23 blocks might seem on the lower side compared to his other peers in the list, the Spaniard’s biggest strength lies in his game reading ability and organizational skills, enabling the team to snuff out dangers in the bud, limiting the requirements for taking last-ditch preventive measures.
Mourtada Fall – FC Goa
Picking up from exactly where he left off last season, the Senegalese played an important role in the Gaurs topping the league table and winning the Hero ISL 2019-20 League Winners Shield. The towering centre-back was a wall personified for opposition attackers, as he combined his strength, aerial prowess and recovery ability to starve oppositions of scoring opportunities. Having already proved his worth at the other of the pitch last season, Fall took it a step further this term, scoring five times and laying three assists in his 19 matches this term. His passing accuracy stood at a massive 87.32% – the best by any player in the division – which was an important piece in Goa’s philosophy of playing out from the back. Fall accounted for a total of 67 tackles, 191 clearances and 22 blocks this season.
Lucian Goian – Chennaiyin FC
Like the Marina Machans, the Romanian also had a slow start to the season but picked up his performance after Owen Coyle’s arrival. Although attack was very much Coyle’s focus, defensive solidity was just as important and Goian ensured that the required standards were met, week in week out. The 37-year-old also scored the all-important goal against former club Mumbai City FC, which helped Chennaiyin advance to the semi-finals. The goal was one of the two he scored in 20 matches in the Hero ISL 2019-20. His passing accuracy stood at 80.37%, whilst he had 228 clearances, 49 interceptions and 62 tackles to his name – some staggering numbers.