Bengaluru's head coach Albert Roca believes that a tough fixture away against an in-form Aizawl FC could be just what they need to revive their I-League campaign here on Wednesday.
A combination of injuries and suspensions has stretched the defending champions' winless streak to four games in the league.
But the Spanish coach was confident that his side is close to turning a corner if the chances being created in attack are anything to go by.
"We've been playing some good football and it's only a matter of putting to bed the chances we are creating. Against Minerva, we were plain unlucky. But that's football," Roca said.
"We've picked ourselves up and are focused on the challenge that Aizawl will throw at us. They are a team that's high on confidence and are playing at home, which means everything is against us. It's going to be a test of our character and I'm sure the boys will be up to it," he added.
Having played a game more than Bengaluru, Khalid Jamil-coached Aizawl are third on the table with 16 points and have turned up with some impressive performances this season.
Their biggest win came last weekend when Aizawl clawed back from a goal down to beat Churchill Brothers 3-1 at home.
Bengaluru, meanwhile, come off the back of a frustrating 1-1 stalemate at home against Minerva Punjab FC, where a late own goal cancelled skipper Sunil Chhetri's opener, his fourth goal in as many games.
The Blues will be without foreign centre backs John Johnson and Juan Gonzalez, who are still serving suspensions, and the coach expects expects a tough clash at the Rajiv Gandhi Football Stadium.
"Aizawl are doing well and it is important to be cautious in our approach as we know that we cannot afford to slip up again. We cannot take them lightly or be complacent and have to put our chances away if we are to take anything away from this game," Roca said.
--IANS
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