Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], April 1 (ANI): Bengaluru FC (BFC) will host FC Goa (FGC) at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in the first leg of their semi-final fixture of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 on Wednesday at 7:30 pm IST.
The Blues have reached the last-four stage following a thumping 5-0 victory against Mumbai City FC in the one-legged knockout, while the Gaurs finished second in the standings, securing 48 points from 24 league-stage matches, according to an ISL press release.
FC Goa, however, have been on a four-match unbeaten streak against Bengaluru FC, winning twice and drawing twice. They were on the losing side in their previous playoff fixture against the Blues, suffering a 0-1 loss in the final of ISL 2018-19.
Meanwhile, Bengaluru FC boast a formidable home record against FC Goa, remaining unbeaten in their last six encounters, with four wins. The last two fixtures at this venue have ended in draws, and the Gaurs will be looking to improve their record, as only Kerala Blasters FC and NorthEast United FC have played more matches at this stadium without winning (seven each).
Bengaluru FC are unbeaten in their last two playoff matches (W1 D1). Their longest such streak was between March 2019 and 2020, when they won three consecutive games while keeping a clean sheet in each.
Head coach Gerard Zaragoza secured his first-ever playoff victory in ISL following their 5-0 win over Mumbai City FC. If his side wins this fixture, Zaragoza will become the third tactician in ISL history to win both of his first two playoff games, after Simon Grayson (March 2023) and Petr Kratky (April 2024).
FC Goa have suffered defeats in their last two playoff matches, both against Mumbai City FC in April 2024. The last time they endured a longer losing streak in this stage was between March 2019 and February 2020, with three consecutive losses.
FC Goa have scored 22 goals in ISL playoffs history, tied for the second-highest tally alongside Bengaluru FC, only behind Chennaiyin FC (25). Furthermore, FC Goa lead the semi-finals’ scoring charts, having netted 18 times.
The two teams have faced each other 17 times in ISL history, with the Gaurs winning five encounters, Bengaluru FC emerging victorious on seven occasions, and five matches ending in draws.
Bengaluru FC head coach Gerard Zaragoza acknowledged the competitiveness of the semi-finals: “I’m looking forward to it. I came here to the club to win trophies, and we have three really good teams involved in the semi-finals too,” he said as quoted by the ISL press release.
FC Goa head coach Manolo Marquez expressed excitement at the possibility of guiding the team to their first-ever ISL Cup win: “I’m very excited. I want to help FC Goa win the ISL Cup for the first time,” he said.
Bengaluru FC’s Sunil Chhetri, with four goals, is one strike away from becoming the outright leading scorer in this fixture in ISL history. Additionally, Chhetri is one goal away from equaling his highest-ever goal tally in a single ISL season (14 in 2017-18).
FC Goa’s Iker Guarrotxena has scored seven goals and provided three assists in the current ISL season. He is one goal contribution away from equaling his best-ever tally in a single ISL season (11 goals in 2022-23).
FC Goa’s Brison Fernandes (7G, 2A) is one goal contribution away from becoming the first Indian player to register 10+ in a single ISL season for FC Goa. (ANI)
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