Bengaluru beat Pune City 3-1

Both coaches employed a 4-2-3-1 formation with Miku leading the line for Benglaluru FC and Emaliano Alfaro deployed up top for FC Pune City. In a big omission, Ranko Popovic chose to start star player Marcelinho on the bench as Jonatan Lucca was deployed in his place behind Alfaro.

Albert Roca meanwhile left Edu Garcia on the bench while Ralte Lalthuammawia continued between the sticks as Gurpreet Singh served the second of his two-match suspension. The first-half was a cagey affair with chances coming at a premium for both sides. The play was generally restricted to a midfield battle as both teams closed down the other efficiently. Bengaluru skipper Sunil Chhetri expertly rounded Pune custodian Vishal Kaith after a long ball set him free behind the defence but the forward was adjudged to have used his hands in the process and was shown a yellow card.

The visitors' defence looked shaky at times and a silly error gave Pune the opportunity to cause some damage but Ralte was alert and came charging out to deny Alfaro. The home side took the lead 10 minutes before half-time through an unlikely source as Adil Khan ghosted in unmarked in the Bengaluru box and head home a delicious corner from left-winger Isaac Vanmalsawma.