Bengaluru: After another prolonged spell of uncertainty, the Indian Super League (ISL) is finally back, albeit a month later than anticipated, with Bengaluru FC hosting Sporting Club Delhi at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Saturday.
The revamped 13-team competition appears to have found some stability after months of wrangling between clubs and the All India Football Federation. The revival has come at a cost, with Jamshedpur FC withdrawing but there is a renewed belief among the remaining stakeholders that Indian football still has plenty to offer.
A title sponsor in MG, a broadcasting partner in Sony and an agreement to stream every match live and free on YouTube have provided reasons for optimism, not least the prospect of taking football to a wider audience.
However, after months of negotiations and boardroom battles, attention can finally return to significant matters on the field.
For Bengaluru FC, their demanding supporters expect nothing less than a title challenge and head coach Pep Munoz shares that ambition.
“This is football, and we are here to win. That is what I want, what the supporters want, and what the management expects,” said Munoz during the pre-match press conference. “But I also want to win in a way that makes everyone proud.”
First, though, Bengaluru must rediscover their home comforts. Despite sizeable crowds, the Blues won just once in six home league matches last season, drawing three and losing twice. Their opening fixture offers an opportunity to repair that record.
Munoz has considerably more resources this time, particularly overseas, as the club has looked beyond just having two foreigners last season. Argentine midfielder Manuel de Iriondo, Montenegro’s striker Mihailo Perovic, Dutch defender Menno Koch among two others have bolstered the squad.
Domestic recruitment, on the other hand, has been minimal, with the 47-year-old Spanish coach instead placing considerable faith in the academy.
Youngsters Soham Varshneya, Vinith Venkatesh, Shivaldo Singh and Kelvin Singh will be expected to shoulder greater responsibility, particularly with Ryan Williams, Ashique Kuruniyan and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu returning from demanding international assignments.
“We have capable replacements. Selection is not automatic just because someone returns from the national team,” Munoz said.
Saturday’s opponents, however, are hardly pushovers.
Delhi, who were beaten 2-0 by Bengaluru last season, arrive transformed after an impressive Durand Cup campaign that yielded 21 goals in five matches. Their run ended in the semifinals against East Bengal in Kolkata, where they held the eventual champions goalless before losing on penalties.
Under Tomasz Tchorz, the national capital club has developed a dangerous attacking unit featuring Brazilian Rodriguinho, Colombian Juan Pena, midfielder Lalrinliana Hnamte and promising youngster Mohammed Aimen.
“Bengaluru are a well-organised and well-structured club, which makes them a good benchmark for us. But nobody is unbeatable in the ISL,” warned Tchorz.
For Munoz, there are chinks in the armour as Bengaluru’s bench struggled to sustain intensity last season, particularly in the closing stages of matches. Whether their academy graduates can bridge that gap could ultimately determine how far the Blues’ title ambitions travel.