Indian Super League : Battle of attackers as Pune face Bengaluru

Pune: FC Pune City may find the going tough as they hunt for their first win in the Indian Super League (ISL) against last year's runners-up Bengaluru FC at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex here on Monday.

Pune are languishing at the ninth spot in the league table after picking up just a solitary point from their first two away games. They now return home, and it is expected to be another herculean task against Bengaluru FC.

"I think Bengaluru FC is the best team in India. They are playing the second season with almost the same players. They have changed only two-three players. That is very important.

Albert Roca has gone but Carles Cuadrat is the same. It is important to follow a continuous philosophy," said Pune coach Miguel Angel Portugal.

A win against Bengaluru, which they desperately need, will not just be Pune's first of the season, but also their maiden victory over the opposition to whom they lost during last edition's play-offs.

"We are preparing for the match very well. We know their strengths and weaknesses very well. We have our ideas and we know the plan how to pick up a win," said Portugal.

The Spanish coach will expect his key attackers Emiliano Alfaro and Marcelinho to provide the spark in the clash against last season's runner-up.

A lack of goals has been Pune's undoing in the current campaign with two games yielding only one.

They have had 21 attempts on goal but remain the most wasteful among all 10 teams with a conversion rate of only 4.76 per cent.