Hero Indian Super League (ISL) debutants Bengaluru FC will start off their league journey when they host last season’s semi-finalist, Mumbai City FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday. The Blues, having already been an immensely successful Hero I-League club, have retained a good few players who have brought them fortunes over the years. A debut win will be their priority when they play in front of their fans, the West Block Blues. Mumbai also retained the core of their squad, which had made them the most defensively sound club last season, when they reached their first-ever semifinal. They would want to continue that form while looking to spoil their opponents’ initiation party. KEY PLAYERS Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC) India’s illustrious captain has led the Blues to all their glories to date. As the focal point of his team’s attacking unit, Chhetri will be the go-to man for bagging goals. His link-up football with fellow attackers is a strong point of his gameplay as he will look to inaugurate his team into the league by being at his prolific best. Balwant Singh (Mumbai City FC) A striker who himself has been prolific in the Hero I-League throughout his career, Balwant Singh has popped up with important goals for his country, of late. His form has been fluctuating throughout his career but the 30-year-old can be a very dangerous customer once he finds his scoring touch. Backed by a mid-field that has immense depth, Balwant, who is a known poacher, will look to go for the kill for the Islanders. POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS Bengaluru FC: Head coach Albert Roca has always preferred to be more attack-minded, and will probably use his team’s depth to good effect in the 4-3-3 formation. Goalkeeper: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu Defenders: Boithang Haokip, John Johnson, Juanan, Rahul Bheke Midfielders: Eduardo Garcia, Erik Paartalu, Lenny Rodrigues Forwards: Udanta Singh, Sunil Chhetri, Braulio Nobrega Right-back Rahul Bheke on Bengaluru’s objectives: “We will go match by match, so our first target will be our first game against Mumbai City FC. It will be a big game for us as it will be a home game, so we’ll be going for three points and we have to win this game, anyhow.” my site Mumbai City FC: The Islanders, in all probabilities, would be lining up with the traditional 4-4-2 formation as they keep both their defensive and attacking options open. Goalkeeper: Amrinder Singh Defenders: Raju Gaikwad, Gerson Vieira, Lucian Goian, Aiborlang Khongjee Midfielders: Abinash Ruidas, Leo Costa, Sehnaj Singh, Everton Santos Forwards: Balwant Singh, Rafael Jorda KEY STATS Last season, with Bengaluru FC in the Hero I-League and Mumbai City FC in the Hero ISL, the clubs ‘shared’ three key players: Sunil Chhetri, Udanta Singh and Amrinder Singh. (Report and Picture courtesy: ISL Media Team)