02

JEFE
TALK
Hello Bengaluru,
Were setting foot into a new chapter in the
clubs history and Im thrilled that its being
This tournament is
done along with you, and at a place we all love
the Fortress. Our season began much
another chance for the
earlier than all the teams in the ISL and we both of us to make
had the chance to soak in the wonderful
atmosphere you fans create. Unfortunately, memories. Lets get
we couldnt bring the AFC Cup final home and
we were sorely disappointed about it. down to business then!
But here we are, playing our first ever game little about most teams and that is going to
of the Indian Super League and believe me make our start to the tournament,
when I tell you the players and staff are challenging. What this means is that we are
tremendously excited about it. Im assuming going to need the city to support us more than
you feel no different. ever. The boys have been talking of how they
would love to walk into a packed stadium and I
There are a few faces on the squad you will am certain you will respond to this wish.
see for the first time in a blue shirt. Miku, Edu
and Braulio have all been here for a while now Together we have come a long way in a very
but werent part of the AFC Cup campaign. short time and have achieved so much to be
And while he joined the team only for the ISL, I proud about. This tournament is another
dont really need to take the trouble to chance for the both of us to make memories.
introduce John. Lets get down to business then!
Weve spent the last two weeks at our
Academy facilities in Bellary where we played Love,
a few friendlies that have helped us prepare.
More importantly, the trip allowed us to live
together and that, I feel, is a vital part of
preparing for a tournament.

We will now have new rivalries to look forward

to and new stadiums to play at. We know very Albert Roca
 Preview
To New Beginnings,
Frontiers And Dreams
he Newest Chapter In BFCs History Is
All Set To Be Written Over The Next 90
Minutes. Heres A Peek Into How The
Blues Stack Up Against Mumbai City FC
Its as blank a slate as it can be when
Bengaluru FC take on Mumbai City FC in what
will be the Blues first ever game after
embracing life in the Indian Super League.
Albert Rocas team has a head-start of sorts
given his side got up and running with AFC Cup
commitments but the Spaniard refuses to read
too much into it. Yes, weve started before all
teams in the ISL and while that doesnt
guarantee anything, it surely is an advantage
that we must make count.
In Mumbai City, the Blues have opponents who
finished the League commitments as leaders
last season. And like Roca, Mumbai boss
Alexandre Guimaraes is now in his second
season as manager of the team from the
Island city. The visitors come into the game on
the back of a lengthy pre-season tour of Spain
where they played as many as seven friendlies
against teams like UE Gandia, CD Castellon
and Elche B among others. They won four,
drew two and lost one before heading back to
Mumbai. They have the same coach who
comes with a lot of experience and the fact
that he is in his second season means he is
laying the kind of foundations the club
expects. Like us, they too have had a
pre-season in Spain and Im sure they are
more than just well-prepared for battle,
added Roca.
While Roca didnt tinker too much with his
team selection over the four AFC Cup games
in the knock-out stages, hes bound to fiddle
more than just a little with the inclusion of
four more foreigners to the squad for the ISL.
And it will be very interesting to see what the
side the Spaniard goes with. The boys have
given me a selection headache and thats one
headache I wouldnt want to fix. Everyone has
been training hard and there are options in
each position.
Also making a start will be India No.1
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. The keeper was
drafted into the side after Lalthuammawia
Ralte picked up an ankle injury and is likely to
be out for anywhere between four and six
weeks. Its unfortunate that Mawia has
picked up an injury but this paves the way for
Gurpreet who, going by the League rules,
would have been eligible to play only after the
first five rounds.
The game will also mark the return of
Amrinder Singh to the Fortress, but this time
in Mumbai City FC colours.
04
OPPONENT
WATCH
FORMER BLUES
Amrinder Singh Arindam Bhattacharja
2015-2017 2017

HEAD COACH CAPTAIN

Alexandre Henrique Borges Guimares Lucian Goian
Coaching Experience: 23 years Age: 34
11 Clubs, 2 National Teams Defender

OVERSEAS PLAYERS
5 Brazilians 1 Spaniard

1 Cameroonian 1 Romanian

PERFORMANCE IN THE ISL

14 Wins
44 Goals Scored
15 Losses
55 Goals Conceded
13 Draws
TERRACE HYMNS

LOUD AND
PROUD!

Oh when the Blues... Oh Bangalore! (few)

Go marching in...
Oh when the Blues go marching in
I wanna be in that number
Oh when the Blues go marching
in.
Oh Udantaaaa... (x2)
He runs a dash!
As quick as flash!
Oh Udantaaaa...
Oh Bangalore! (rest)
Is wonderful! (few)
Is wonderful! (rest)
Oh Bangalore is wonderful...
It's full of life, life and football,
Oh Bangalore is wonderful!
Albert (few) Roca (rest)
Albert (few) Roca (rest)
06 BFC SQUAD
Head Coach: Assistant Coach:
Albert Roca Carles Cuadrat
GOALKEEPERS
1 Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
23 Abhra Mondal
28 Lathuammawia Ralte
32 Calvin Abhishek
DEFENDERS
2 Rahul Bheke
3 Collin Abranches
4 Zohmingliana Ralte
5 Juan Gonzalez
6 John Johnson
15 Subhasish Bose
22 Nishu Kumar
24 Joyner Lourenco
MIDFIELDERS
8 Lenny Rodrigues
10 Harmanjot Khabra
13 Eduardo Garcia
14 Dimas Delgado
17 Boithang Haokip
16 Erik Paartalu
19 Antonio Dovale
20 Alwyn George
30 Malsawmzuala
FORWARDS
7 Miku Fedor
9 Braulio Nobrega
11 Sunil Chhetri
18 Thongkhosiem Haokip
21 Udanta Singh
MUMBAI CITY FC SQUAD
Head Coach:
Alexandre Guimares

GOALKEEPERS
Amrinder Singh 1
Kunal Sawant 23
Arindam Bhattacharja 27
DEFENDERS
Aiborlang Khongjee 2
Gerson Viera 4
Marcio Rozario 5
Raju Gaikwad 6
Biswajit Saha 16
Lucian Goian 18
Mehrajuddin Wadoo 26
Kim Kima 31

MIDFIELDERS
Everton Santos 7
Sahil Tavora 8
Leo Costa 11
Sanju Pradhan 12
Zakeer Mundampara 22
Sehnaj Singh 28
Rakesh Oram 33
Abinash Ruidas 34

FORWARDS
Rafa Jorda 9
Achille Emana Edzimbi 10
Balwant Singh 15
Pranjal Bhumij 17
Davinder Singh 32
Thiago Santos 40
10
KEY MEN BFC
The Blues Mark The Start Of A New Era At The Fortress As They Take On
Mumbai City FC And Were Looking At Some Of The Men Who Could
Contribute To The Script In A Big Way

Having joined in the summer, Venezuelan striker Miku

has taken very little time to settle into the Blues camp,
netting three times in his first three pre-season
friendlies. The 32-year-old joins the Federation Cup
champions with a glittering resume, having spent most
of his career in Spain, representing a host of clubs
including Valencia, Rayo Vallecano and Getafe. Miku has
also won a Scottish double while on loan at Celtic in 2013
and will be the one to watch out for in the final third for
MIKU FEDOR the Blues today.

The Wall missed out on the latter part of the Blues' AFC
Cup campaign, but John Johnson rejoins the pack ahead
of a big season, to make Roca's backline stronger ahead
of the Indian Super League. Twice named the I-Leagues
best defender, Johnson will have his task cut out against
new foreigners and will look to shore up the Blues'
defence and play a key part in keeping Mumbai's
attackers at bay tonight.
JOHN JOHNSON

The Flash hobbled off with an injury in the 2017

Federation Cup final, but returned for the Blues in their
AFC Cup run and alongside skipper Sunil Chhetri, was
one of two players retained by the club ahead of the big
jump to the ISL. With pace sufficient to trouble any
defender on his day, youll do well to keep your eyes on
Udanta as he blazes his way past Mumbais defenders.
UDANTA SINGH
KEY MEN MUM
Its The First Time Blues Will Face Indian Super League Opposition As
Mumbai City FC Arrive And Weve Picked Out Three Players Who Could Be
Key To The Visitors Efforts At The Fortress Today

Defender Lucian Goian was key to Mumbai City FC's

previous campaign and made 16 appearances in their
2016-17 ISL season. A journeyman, having played for
over eleven clubs in a career that has spanned 17 years,
Goian brings with him experience of playing in the UEFA
Europa League and the Blues' attack will have their work
cut out if they are to get past the Romanian centre-half.
LUCIAN GOIAN

The Blues will be wary of Sehnaj Singh's presence in the

Mumbai lineup. The 24-year-old, a product of the
Chandigarh Football Academy, has faced Bengaluru in the
colors of Mohun Bagan and East Bengal and will be the
one marshaling Alexandre Guimares midfield in today's
clash. With a strong right foot that's capable of launching
a strike from distance, Bengaluru will do well to close
Sehnaj down when he is in possession around the box.
SEHNAJ SINGH

He's no stranger to parties at the Fortress and Amrinder

Singh will be a vital cog in Mumbai City FC's efforts
against the Blues today. The 24-year-old shot-stopper
spent two seasons with Bengaluru before making the
switch to Mumbai and has enough experience coming up
against shots from the Bengaluru attack during his time
in Roca's camp.
AMRINDER SINGH
12
CAPTAINS
WORD
THE OCCASION
DESERVES A
MAGICAL
ATMOSPHERE
Youre no stranger to the League and todays
opposition, what are your thoughts on the
season opener?
The game marks a fresh turn in the clubs
history, one we have all been buzzing about
for some time now. I can never tire of saying
this but Bengaluru FC is a very special club
and Im really happy I will be a part of this
bunch when we take the pitch at the Fortress
today. That said, my time with Mumbai City FC
in the ISL has been a happy one and it was
good while it lasted. Today, they are
opponents and I always back us at home. The
boys are expecting nothing short of a magical
atmosphere at the Fortress. The occasion
deserves it.
You and Udanta have played under
Alexandre Guimares last season, how do
you think he will approach this game?
Guimares brings with him a lot of experience
to be able to guess the kind of game plan he
will bring on the night. Under him Mumbai
City finished the league stage on top last
season and did it by conceding the least
number of goals. Its going to be a very
interesting clash off the pitch too.
Everyones talking about new frontiers, but
in many ways the BFC spirit among the
players and the fans is the same
Its true, a lot has changed but everything
feels the same. Weve always been family at
BFC be it in the dressing room or in the
stands. And trust me when I say that this
closeness has been the key factor in so many
of our wins. We did lose a lot of players in the
draft but we also managed to retain a good
number. The new boys have blended in really
well and it is a testament to the kind of vibe
the club gives out.
Two new teams, a longer season, prime-time
kick-offs and a team representing
Karnataka, this season of the ISL looks more
than just promising
Everything is bigger and better this season
and like I said, were all buzzing to be part of
it. The League and the teams are putting in a
mammoth effort to build the season up and I
feel this is going to be the best season of the
Indian Super League yet.
14
NUMBER WATCH
Scored by Chhetri in
his stint with todays
5 Spaniards rivals Mumbai City, in
the ISL.

1 Englishman

1 Venezuelan

1 Australian

The success rate recorded by

Bengaluru FC in the league at the
Kanteerava Stadium.

63%
WIN RATE

Number of caps striker Miku has

bagged for Venezuelas National
Team, the most by any foreigner in
the BFC squad.

11 Players in the current

new-look Blues squad from
last season.
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 IND

UDANTA
18
NOVEMBER
19 BENGALURU FC vs MUMBAI CITY FC Sree Kanteerava Stadium -

26 BENGALURU FC vs DELHI DYNAMOS Sree Kanteerava Stadium -

30 FC GOA vs BENGALURU FC Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium -

DECEMBER
08 NORTHEAST UNITED vs BENGALURU FC Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium -

15 FC PUNE CITY vs BENGALURU FC Balewadi Sports Complex -

17 BENGALURU FC vs CHENNAIYAN FC Sree Kanteerava Stadium -

21 BENGALURU FC vs JAMSHEDPUR FC Sree Kanteerava Stadium -

31 KERALA BLASTERS vs BENGALURU FC Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium -

JANUARY
07 BENGALURU FC vs ATK Sree Kanteerava Stadium -

14 DELHI DYNAMOS vs BENGALURU FC Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium -

18 MUMBAI CITY FC vs BENGALURU FC Mumbai Football Arena -

26 BENGALURU FC vs NORTHEAST UNITED FC Sree Kanteerava Stadium -

31 CHENNAIYIN FC vs BENGALURU FC Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium -

FEBRUARY
03 ATK vs BENGALURU FC Salt Lake Stadium -

08 BENGALURU FC vs FC GOA Sree Kanteerava Stadium -

14 BENGALURU FC vs FC PUNE CITY Sree Kanteerava Stadium -

25 JAMSHEDPUR FC vs BENGALURU FC JRD Tata Sports Complex -

MARCH
TBD BENGALURU FC vs CHURCHILL BROTHERS Sree Kanteerava Stadium -

01 BENGALURU FC vs KERALA BLASTERS Sree Kanteerava Stadium -

NOTE
Games highlighted in blue are all at the Fortress.
Games highlighted in white are when you need to travel with us!