NEUFC host Bengaluru in empty stand
In front of empty stands, NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) will play hosts to Bengaluru FC, in the Indian Super League here on Wednesday.
The match at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium will be played behind closed doors due to unrest in the region following the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.
NorthEast United FC are coming into this game off a 3-0 loss to ATK at home and are now winless in three matches. Not only was it their first defeat of the season, but they also lost their star striker Asamoah Gyan to injury in that game.
"It was very bad for us. That was the worst match we played. We never played so badly before. We have to forget that day and continue working hard," NorthEast coach Robert Jarni said. The Highlanders will again be without the prolific Ghanaian on Wednesday. Gyan, who has three goals to his name, has been crucial to NorthEast setup so far.
Without the former Premier League star, their attacking threat goes down a few notches and the other forwards will have their task cut out against a formidable Bengaluru defence which has conceded the least in the league.
However, Jarni would have had some time to formulate a plan of attack without Gyan, given that NorthEast have had a 10-day break after their last game, owing to the postponement of their home tie against Chennaiyin FC.
The return of Uruguayan attacking midfielder Federico Gallego in place of Maximiliano Barreiro also helps boost the Highlanders' attack. Gallego, who contributed four goals and as many assists last season, makes his ISL return after suffering a leg break coincidentally against Bengaluru FC last season.
Bengaluru FC come into this game after seeing their unbeaten start to the season come to an end against Mumbai City FC who won 3-2, thanks to an injury-time goal from Rowllin Borges.
However, despite the three goals they shipped on Sunday, Bengaluru have conceded only five goals so far this season and are the best defensive unit in the ISL by far.