Bengaluru FC head coach Simon Grayson will be looking to return to winning ways when they host Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League on Friday. The Blues are in the ninth spot in the points table with only seven points from eight games. They have lost three, drawn four and won only a single game this season and the pressure is on Grayson to turn it around.
Meanwhile, Mumbai City are fifth in the table with 11 points, having won three and drawn two games.
Grayson has faced Mumbai City four times in the last ISL season and is familiar with their style of play. Hence, he urges his team to get back to winning ways in this match.
“We know what to expect against them. We know their strengths and weaknesses, their key players,” Grayson stated in the pre-match press conference.
“We are looking forward to it. We have to get back to winning ways as quickly as possible. We have drawn too many games from winning positions,” he added.
The Sree Kanterava Stadium continues to remain a fortress for the Blues as they are unbeaten at home this season.
Grayson understands the significance of playing at home in front of their passionate supporters who can spur them on when needed. He urges his players to play with utmost intensity and character.
“We know our home stadium is a special place for our supporters. We have to make sure that we play with intensity and character with and without the ball,” he said. “We have to play with purpose and tempo and give the fans our best performance that our ability allows us to.”
Bengaluru FC striker Curtis Main joined his head coach at the pre-match press conference. The Englishman also feels that home support can be the difference for them against the Islanders.
Main has flattered to deceive till now with only two strikes in seven games. He will look to extend his goal-scoring tally while helping the Blues secure more wins throughout the ISL season.
“We have to be positive. We know that they are a good side but we are also good,” Main said. “We hope to feed off the positive energy from our fans and take the game to Mumbai City FC.”
Main believes that the team is finding rhythm and positivity lately but results have not gone their way as Bengaluru FC have scored seven goals in the last four games. “I am feeling like we are finding a little bit of rhythm now. Hopefully, we can get some positive results from our upcoming games and improve our form,” Main said.
