Bengaluru FC have played only in two editions of the Indian Super League (ISL), but they hold an enviable record of winning the title once and finishing second on the other occasion.
Bengaluru are the most professional club in India as they have swooped in and taken Indian football to heights it had never scaled before. Two-time champions of the I-League, winners of the Federation Cup and finalists in the AFC Cup, what truly defines the Blues today are their positive mentality and beautiful playing style.
Since their launch in 2013, Bengaluru have won two Federation Cup titles, and a Super Cup championship.
Entering the ISL fold ahead of 2017-18 season, they finished at the top of the league table, but were denied their date with history by a resilient Chennaiyin side at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, their fortress. The Blues went down 3-2 in the final. It was followed by a title-winning campaign, defeating FC Goa in a thriller of a contest in the last year's final.
Going into the sixth edition, the defending champions are eyeing a record back-to-back title in the cash-rich league. No side have successfully defended the title in the short history of ISL, with ATK and Chennaiyin FC failing twice in their effort to achieve that incredible feat.
Indian stars
The highlight of BFC's well-balanced unit is the presence of top Indian players in every department, beginning from captain Sunil Chhetri in the attack to Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in the goal.
Bengaluru have a formidable side this season with the addition of India international Ashique Kuruniyan, former Chennaiyin FC midfielder Raphael Augusto and Spanish striker Manuel Onwu.
If one takes a quick glance at the new team and assess the individual potential of each player as well as the team's bench strength, it is evident that Bengaluru have no paucity of talent to win a second consecutive title.
New-look attack
The team's forward line-up will have a different complexion this season following the departure of Venezuelan international Nicolas 'Miku', who netted 20 goals in 24 matches over two seasons and became the second highest scorer for the club.
Their attacks will be orchestrated by India's all-time top scorer Chhetri and Spanish striker Manuel Onwu, who is expected to fill Miku's boots. India international Udanta Singh, who has the ability to break any defensive barrier with his swift, counter attacking moves through the flanks, adds an additional dimension to the attack.
Twenty-year-old Mizo striker Edmund Lalrindika, a former Indian Arrows player, and 26-year-old Thongkhosiem Haokip, who played for ISL sides FC Goa and Kerala Blasters and Kolkata giants East Bengal in the past, will be their reserve forwards.
Right blend of balance and experience
Bengaluru boast of tremendous strength and depth in their midfield line-up. They have snapped up Brazilian Raphael Augusto, who was the standout player in Chennaiyin's victory over them in the 2018 final. The 28-year-old played 68 times for Chennaiyin across four seasons and won two ISL titles.
Augusto, who is Bengaluru's sixth foreign signing this season, will join a midfield that includes Australian Erik Paartalu, Spaniard Dimas Delgado and local star Eugeneson Lyngdoh.
The other weapons in their armoury to control the middle of the field are Keralite Ashique Kuruniyan, former Delhi Dynamos winger Kean Lewis, Ajay Chhetri, who was a member of their reserve side, and 19-year-old former Indian Arrows player Suresh Singh Wangjam.
Solid backline
Spanish duo of Albert Serran and Juanan Gonzalez will once again form a solid partnership at the heart of their defence. Starting 15 games, Serran made a total of 17 appearances as the Blues claimed their maiden ISL title last year. The former Real Madrid B player Juanan, who came in as part of coach Albert Roca's plans in 2016, has also been a mainstay in their defence.
The local talents roped in to protect Bengaluru's backline are Sairuat Kima, Nishu Kumar, Gursimrat Singh Gill, Rahul Bheke, and Rino Anto.
They have also signed Parag Shrivas, one of the most versatile players to come out of the Bengaluru FC B setup, and Punjab-born Harmanjot Khabra, who can be used as a midfielder, defender and a winger.
The club has India's best goalkeeper in Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. Former Indian Arrows custodian Prabhsukhan Singh Gill and 19-year-old Aditya Patra, who was a permanent fixture in India's age-group sides, will be his deputies.
Players to watch
Sunil Chhetri - The 35-year-old Talismanic skipper, who is the second highest active international goal-scorer behind Cristiano Ronaldo, is Bengaluru's trump card. The star striker will be looking forward to lead the Blues from the front yet again.
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu - The 27-year-old is in the form of his life. His heroics were on display last month as the Blue Tigers held Asian champions Qatar to a goalless draw in Doha in the World Cup qualifier last month. In the ISL, the rival strikers would find it difficult to get past Sandhu, who stands at a towering six feet and four inches.
Albert Serran - A product of RCD Espanyol's youth system, Serran appeared in three La Liga games with the Barcelona-based team before joining Premier League side Swansea City in 2008. The 35-year-old, who possesses the ability to occupy all three defensive positions with equal flair, is an experienced campaigner.
The gaffer
Carles Cuadrat - The Spaniard was an assistant to Albert Roca for two seasons at Bengaluru FC. He is somebody who enjoys celebrity status in Indian football, and is way ahead of his counterparts in terms of tactics and strategy. As a player, the 50-year-old was a left-defender for FC Barcelona as well as the Spanish youth teams. He was Frank Rijkaard's right-hand man during the latter's reign at Barcelona. The pair went on to work together at Turkish side Galatasaray and the Saudi Arabia national team between 2009-2013.
Strengths
• The presence of established players in all departments
• Right blend of foreign and local talents
• An incredible track record which gives them a mental edge over rivals
Weaknesses
• The Blues will sorely miss the services of Miku
• The tendency to crumble under pressure
• Burden of expectation could weigh them down