Carles Cuadrat’s Bengaluru FC will host Jamshedpur FC in what is the final game of the calendar year for both sides, at the Fatorda Stadium, in Goa, on Monday. The Blues currently sit in third place on the League table, two points above sixth-placed Jamshedpur, but Cuadrat acknowledged that the Owen Coyle-led side have been playing well and deserve to be higher up on the standings. 

“Jamshedpur FC are doing really good work and they deserve to have more points on the table. They have been unlucky with some refereeing decisions and have also conceded some late goals, like the one they conceded in the final moments against FC Goa. I am sure we will be up against a team that is hurting and hungry.”

Jamshedpur, meanwhile, made important additions to their squad in the summer and roped in Englishman Coyle, who led an unfancied Chennaiyin FC side to the final last term. Cuadrat admitted that he is aware of the challenge he’s up against on Monday.

“We have to control Jamshedpur. Their foreigners are getting better with every passing week, and their young Indian players are also doing well. This is the last game of the year, and we will try to keep our good performances going. In the last 11 games, we have only lost twice. That means our team is fighting for points every time. Jamshedpur will be a tough opponent to face, but we have a plan, and we will try to get the three points.”

Last season’s golden boot-winner Nerijus Valskis now leads the line for Jamshedpur and Cuadrat said he is confident in his backline’s ability to tackle the challenge posed by the Lithuanian striker. “We have been able to stop brilliant strikers before. (Ferran) Corominas and (Bartholomew) Ogbeche only scored from penalties against us. We do take risks with our high defensive line but it is all part of our plan.”

Cuadrat has been forced to reshuffle his backline following the injury to Ashique Kuruniyan and the Spaniard stressed on the need for his players to adjust when they come into the team. “We had the best defence last season, conceding the least goals and keeping the most clean sheets. There have been changes at the back this season and it takes time for the players to understand the patterns. We are also missing Ashique now, which means we have to restructure.”

Speaking about the injured left-back, Cuadrat provided an update. “Ashique finished his surgery in Bengaluru and travelled to Kerala, where he will now recover and spend time with his family. It is difficult to confirm how many weeks it will take for his recovery. We had a phone conversation after his surgery and he is in a positive mood.”

Kick off between the Blues and Jamshedpur FC is scheduled for 7.30 pm on Monday, and will be telecast live on the STAR Sports Network, Hotstar and Jio TV.

(Bengaluru FC)