Bengaluru FC’s chances to claim the top spot on the Indian Super League (ISL) table took a hit after a goalless draw against Chennaiyin FC on Sunday. The Kanteerava based outfit are now four points behind FC Goa and ATK and with only two matches left in the league stage.
Bengaluru boss Carles Cuadrat too agreed that it will be difficult for them to finish at the top and also predicted that Goa were favorites to top the table.
“We have lost points and that top spot race will be difficult for us. It is not in our hands. At the moment, Goa have the best chance to finish top.”
"I think that both teams played a really nice game for the spectators. They were putting a lot of quality on the pitch because the victory was important for both of us." More on what @CarlesCuadrat said after #CFCBFC. https://t.co/sg3nNrNeLv
— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) February 10, 2020
When asked if the Spanish coach is in favor of the league placing a salary cap for all teams, he said;
“As far as I know, there is a salary cap. You have to control the money you put into the team, I think. Unfortunately, we decreased the budget and we lost Miku. So I want to have a salary cap. But every penny has to be spent.”
Backing the performance of the foreign players of the team, Spaniard said,
“I’m happy with the foreigners. The two central defenders are very good. They have stopped strikers like (Asamoah) Gyan, (Nerijus) Valskis, Aridane (Santana). We have conceded only against four teams. They are playing very well.
“No team has got 10 clean sheets. It is a record. We wanted to have that stability at that back and make the most of our situation in the attack. I did not want to touch my defence and midfield. Nili (Perdomo) did a good job, supporting Udanta (Singh) and Semboi (Haokip). But we got only one point. But it could be a very important point.”
Reigning champions Bengaluru FC remain third with 29 points from 16 games. Chennaiyin’s four-game winning run came to an end and the former champions are fifth with 22 points from 15 games.
With the top spot in the league and an AFC Cup playoff spot for grabs, Carles Cuadrat chose to rest Sunil Chhetri and fielded Ashique Kuruniyan on the left flank. This might have backfired as they couldn’t seal a win against Marina Machans. Can still BFC make it to the summit of the table?