A remarkable story was crafted by Bengaluru FC in the previous ISL campaign but they failed to show anything for it at the last. Making an unprecedented turnaround of the season they reached the Indian Super League and later the Super Cup final although not clinching any of the trophies. Despite that, the team will take positives from the incredible period experienced and formulate the spirits for the new season. The reinforcement in the summer has been better as well with some of the existing core of the team remaining untouched. The Blues know they have a coach in Simon Grayson who always keeps a few tricks up his sleeve to drive the team forward. In this article, going forward we will look at the Bengaluru FC 2023-24 squad and ISL 2023/24 season preview.
Previous season performance
Bengaluru FC finished fourth on the ISL table last season allowing them a place in the playoffs at the eliminator phase. The team made a sensational turnaround to put themselves into the top four when every hope seemed to have lost. After managing just three wins in the first 11 games of the season, the Blues went on a winning streak in the last nine games in an extraordinary fashion. They were not finished there as having received a bye after Kerala Blasters abandoned the eliminator game against them, Bengaluru FC went on to eliminate Shield winners Mumbai City from the semi-finals in the playoffs through a shootout. Tie-breaker was again required when they reached the ISL final with the score locked at 2-2 after extra time against Mohun Bagan. However, this time they had to concede defeat. In the Super Cup final too, the Blues lost to Odisha FC and missed the chance of AFC Cup qualification.
Bengaluru FC 2023-24 New Signings
IN: Keziah Veendorp (Foreign), Curtis Main (Foreign), Ryan Williams (Foreign), Halicharan Narzary, Slavko Damjanovic (Foreign), Salam Johnson Singh, Rohit Danu, Jessel Carneiro, Vikram Lahkbir Singh, Shankar Sampingiraj, Fredy, Dipesh Chauhan, Shighil Nambrath, Manjot Singh
OUT: Bidyashagar Singh, Jayesh Rane (on loan), Lara Sharma (on loan), Pablo Pérez (Foreign), Roy Krishna (Foreign), Sandesh Jhingan, Prabir Das, Udanta Singh, Wungngayam Muirang, Leon Augustine, Harmanpreet Singh, Thoi Singh, Bruno Ramires (Foreign), Prince Ibara (Foreign), Sharon P, Rahul Raju, Harpreet Singh, Bekay Oram, Ajay Chettri (on loan), Damaitphang Lyngdoh, Biswa Darjee
Three crucial players in the last season - Sandesh Jhingan, Prabir Das and Udanta Singh were let go in the summer with the right-back joining rivals Kerala Blasters and the rest to FC Goa. Striker Roy Krishna also joined Sergio Lobera’s Odisha FC. The replacements were made elegantly with ISL winner Slavko Damjanovic and Jessel Carneiro brought into defence with Halicharan Narzary and Rohit Danu from Hyderabad FC making solid addition to the flanks. Foreigners Ryan Williams and Curtis Main has added strength to the attack already containing Sivasakhti Narayanan and record-scorer Sunil Chhetri.
Bengaluru FC 2023-24 Squad
Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrit Gope, Vikram Lahkbir Singh, Sahil Poonia
Defenders: Aleksander Jovanovic, Slavko Damjanovic, Robin Yadav, Naorem Roshan Singh, Parag Shrivas, Jessel Carneiro, Namgyal Bhutia, Shankar Sampingiraj
Midfielders: Keziah Veendorp, Lalremtluanga Fanai, Rohit Kumar, Suresh Singh, Shreyas Katkar, Javi Hernández, Harsh Patre
Forwards: Ryan Williams, Halicharan Narzary, Curtis Main, Rohit Danu, Ashish Jha, Sunil Chhetri, Monirul Molla, Ankith Padmanabhan, Asish Jha
Head Coach: Simon Grayson
Strength
The new signings add quality in every sector breading strength and depth to an already settled squad. Be it the defense, midfield or the forward lines the team has the combination of youth and experience with title winners like Rohit Danu and Halicharan Narzary. Bengaluru FC have an excellent balance which will help them thrive in the season. Another strength will be their coach Simon Grayson who has instilled a rock-solid mentality into the team.
Weakness
The team generally played defensive tactics in whichever competition they took part in. While it has brought success in the form of the Durand Cup last year and two more appearances in the finals of ISL and Super Cup, the strategy at times robs the team of its attacking intent. Even though the forward additions are adequate this time, Javi Hernández is still the sole creator of the team. However, Grayson can bring variation in the team to produce more output in their play.
Prediction
Bengaluru FC should be favourites for the playoffs again and should get there without a make-or-break stance of last season. Bengaluru FC 2023-24 squad looks promising and another final appearance could be a possibility for the team but the mentality to get them over the line is still a big ask. Winning the Shield is a big task with so many able competitors around. The Blues will hope their new recruits prove to be an ex-factor to return to their old dominance in the league with a good start to the new season.
