Buoyed by a tough win away from home on Sunday, Bengaluru FC will look to keeping the momentum going when Albert Rocas side take on Chennai City FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Wednesday.
Lenny Rodrigues headed home the winner for BFC at Minerva on an almost unplayable pitch and Roca believes it will take more such grit if his side are to get past Chennai City and build on the win.
"The circumstances we find ourselves in demand that we fight harder than we have ever needed to. The boys showed that in Punjab where the conditions were far from the best to play football in. Chennai are going to be tough opponents given their position on the table," Roca said on the eve of the game.
Chennai, sitting only above Mumbai FC on the table, were denied three points on Sunday against DSK Shivajians when they conceded an equaliser in the last minute to share points with the Pune side.
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Bengaluru have looked a more composed side since the return of John Johnsons from injury. The arrival of striker Marjan Jugovic too has added strength in attack and the Serbian, who was pulled off around the hour mark against Minerva, could get a longer look in on Wednesday.
The defending champions won the home leg of this fixture in January when goals from C.K. Vineeth and Roby Norales broke down a stubborn resistance from Chennai and Roca said it's vital that his team does justice to the chances they create.
Chennai meanwhile, are winless in four games after stalemates against Churchill Brothers and DSK Shivajians and losses to Shillong Lajong and Aizawl FC.
The V. Soundararajan-coached side are buoyed by the addition of centre-back Celestine Anyichie, who missed the club's visit to the Kanteerava, and will look to the Nigerian's aerial presence to keep the Blues' attack at bay.
--IANS
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