Fan analysis

What went wrong for Bengaluru FC against NorthEast United?

Bengaluru FC will be relieved to come away with a draw after a rather underwhelming performance. There were a few tactical and selection decisions that didn't quite work out, and on another day, BFC could have come away with all three points had things gone differently. It's worth keeping Pep Muñoz's circumstances in perspective. Having arrived towards the end of last season and managed just 6 games, he hasn't had much exposure to NorthEast United under Benali or their particular style of play. There is naturally a learning curve involved, especially when facing a side with a distinct tactical approach. That said, there are certain decisions from this game that deserve closer scrutiny. From the starting lineup to the use of substitutes, BFC could have managed several situations better. Let's take a closer look.

1. The lineup and use of youngsters

Three goalkeepers in matchday squad, but only three U-23 players on the bench. It's an interesting squad composition, particularly when you consider the quality of youngsters coming through BFC's academy. It's understandable why Coach prefers experienced players especially in big games like this where the margin for error is slim. However, there's also a case to be made for gradually integrating younger players into first team rather than relying on them only when senior players are unavailable. These kinds of opportunities helping youngsters adapt to the demands of senior football is a no-brainer. If they aren't given meaningful minutes when the opportunity arises, it becomes difficult to expect them to step up confidently when injuries or suspensions leave the squad short. One particularly noteworthy case is Harsh Palande. For the 3rd consecutive time this season, and the 9th time since Pep took charge, he hasn't even made the matchday squad, let alone received a few minutes on the pitch. BFC have invested considerably in their academy and have one of the best youth setups in the country. The next step is ensuring that the pathway from the academy to the first team remains accessible. After all, developing youngsters is only half the job. Giving them opportunities to prove themselves at the highest level is equally important.

2. Player vs Player battles

Playing Soham on the RW seemed like a questionable decision, especially when Ryan could have occupied that position and Perović could have started as the striker (unless Perović got injured before kickoff). Rabeeh completely nullified Soham, who endured a particularly difficult outing. The talented youngster clearly struggled to make an impact that would lead to us scoring, and the matchup wasn't working in BFC's favour. Starting Ashique was another decision that didn't pay off. He's a player who doesn't seem to have progressed much over time. His performances often become a burden on the team rather than adding anything meaningful to its attacking play. He seems to struggle against almost anyone directly up against him, and this game was no different.

3. Set pieces, a glaring weakness

Bengaluru FC won a total of 11 corners throughout the game, but not a single one resulted in a shot on target (if I remember correctly). That's a really disappointing return. The deliveries were repeatedly too high, with the ball sailing over the intended targets. NorthEast seemed well prepared for BFC's set piece routines and dealt with them comfortably. For a team that had so many opportunities to threaten from corners, the lack of any meaningful end product was particularly frustrating. NorthEast, in comparison, had just one corner throughout the game. The contrast highlights how little BFC managed to make of these situations.

4. Substitutions and game management

Ashique was having one of his worst games and should have been taken off at half-time. An earlier change could have given BFC a better chance of altering the attacking dynamics. Borja being moved to LW, Vinith brought in and being played in the midfield. Soham, one of BFC's most talented youngsters, was also having a difficult evening. He didn't seem to have much of an impact, and an earlier substitution might have been worth considering. Shivaldo also had a forgettable outing. Jithin MS gave Shivaldo plenty to deal with, forcing him into fouls just to stop the winger from progressing. Perhaps Palande could have offered a different option. Roshan was another alternative worth considering, particularly given his defensive abilities. Shivaldo didn't seem to have much freedom to push forward either, so why Palande/Roshan weren't played is a worthy question to ask if we needed defensive stability. There were a few opportunities to change the dynamics of the game, and BFC could perhaps have made those adjustments earlier.

5. NorthEast punishing BFC's mistake

The opening goal was particularly frustrating because it came from a sequence that BFC could have handled much better. Soham failed to execute his attempted shot properly, allowing NorthEast to win possession and launch a counterattack. The transition caught BFC out, with Jithin MS eventually sending Shivaldo the wrong way before finding the back of the net. It was a costly sequence that highlighted how quickly NorthEast could exploit a lapse in execution and defensive organisation.

Final thoughts This was one of those games where BFC could've come away with all 3 points had the right personnel been deployed and the necessary tactical adjustments been made. There were issues with the starting lineup, individual matchups, set-piece execution, and the timing of substitutions. These are areas Pep and his coaching staff will have plenty to reflect on. Pep has earned plenty of goodwill through his work so far. He's an exceptional coach, there's no doubt about that. BFC fans should consider themselves lucky to have someone like him at the helm. One disappointing performance shouldn't overshadow everything he's brought to the team. That said, there's always room for improvement, particularly when it comes to adapting to the opposition and making changes when things aren't working. The bigger concern is that BFC have a promising pool of young players but aren't making enough use of them. An academy's success shouldn't be measured solely by the number of promising youngsters it produces. The real test is whether these players eventually get meaningful opportunities in the first team. For now, we take the lessons from this game and move on.

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