Bengaluru: Momentum — it is the wind in your sails that can push your team forward, and a lack of it leads to stagnation. In a season that has ebbed and flowed for defending champions Bengaluru FC, momentum is the word on the team’s collective lips when they host Churchill Brothers in the final game of a turbulent I-League season on Saturday.
On Cloud Nine after their club record 7-0 walloping of DSK Shivajians at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium last week, the stage is set for Albert Roca’s men to end their season in the same manner they can started it — on a high.
With all eyes on Aizawl FC’s quest for their maiden I-league title, the relinquishing team have set their sights on laying foundations for strong runs in the Asian Football Confederation Cup and the Federation Cup.
“Unfortunately, we cannot go any higher than fourth position, but we’ve built some fantastic momentum and we need to keep going. We won’t we taking our foot off the pedal,” the Blues’ coach asserted.
“More importantly, Saturday gives us the chance to thank our fans for sticking by us through the season and I’m sure the boys will make the most of it,” Roca added.
C.K. Vineeth and Udanta Singh have returned to full fitness and will be lookingfor starting spots, with Roca mixing things up ahead of their crucial AFC Cup trip to Abahani Dhaka on May 3.
For Churchill coach Derrick Pereira, the match represents a perfect way of underlying his credentials as a handy saviour of teams mired in the basement of the eague table. The Goan took charge midway through the season when Churchill were floundering, and saved them from relegation, securing a sixth-place finish.
Coming into the match after a 6-1 win against Chennai City, Pereira promised to maintain the very professionalism that saw them script a 2-1 home win at Tilak Maidan in January.
