Ahead of the upcoming season of the Indian Super League (ISL 2023-24), Bengaluru FC have parted ways with midfielder Bruno Ramires and forward Roy Krishna, the club announced the departure through their social media handles on Sunday.
Bruno joined the club ahead of the ISL 2021-22 season from Portuguese side Belenenses. A crucial cog under then-head coach Marco Pezzaiuoli, the Brazilian started all 20 games in his debut season, making 104 tackles, 39 interceptions, 35 clearances, and 33 blocks besides providing a solitary assist.
In the subsequent ISL 2022-23 campaign, Bruno had limited game time, clocking just 1215 minutes across 16 games. However, his game style was not limited to the midfield as head coach Simon Grayson used his versatility in the backline.
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With constant injury niggles at the back, Grayson turned Bruno into a stopgap defender and given his repertoire, the 29-year-old did not disappoint, forming a vital partnership with Sandesh Jhingan. He started as a centre-back in the last six games of Bengaluru FC in the ISL season including the final.
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Across his 16 games in the ISL 2022-23 season, the defender made 41 tackles, 34 clearances, 25 blocks, and 25 interceptions. While his versatility may be missed across different positions on the field, the Brazilian will be known for his stature, as a strong all-round player ready to march on the orders of the head coach.
Alternatively, Roy Krishna joined the Bengaluru FC from Kolkata-based side ATK Mohun Bagan ahead of the ISL 2022-23 season. The league’s fourth all-time top scorer with 41 goals in 81 games, Krishna’s move was touted as one of the biggest moves prior to the start of the 2022-23 ISL campaign.
Despite being one of the most prolific strikers to have graced the league, the Fijian wasn’t able to stamp his authority with the new club, contributing to just three goals in the first ten games. While Grayson was finding feet with respect to tactics, and gameplay, the Blues collectively weren’t able to perform to the best of their abilities, going through one of their worst-ever run of performances in the season.
However, the marksman came clutch and kicked into gear in the latter stages of the season which saw the Blues go on a stellar 10-game winning run where Krishna formed a lethal partnership with Sivasakthi Narayanan. The duo along with midfield maestro Javi Hernandez were at the forefront of goals that saw the side reach the ISL final after three seasons.
All in all, Krishna’s calibre proved to be of massive help for the Blues who reached the finals in all three domestic competitions this season – Durand Cup, ISL and Super Cup – having netted at least a goal in each of the three competitions. A double-digit haul (11 goal contributions) in his fourth consecutive season in the ISL shows his consistency, with the player having gained a reputation for tearing apart several teams in the league.
Krishna and Bruno are the latest to join the ranks of Udanta Singh, Prabir Das, Pablo Perez, Prince Ibara and Alan Costa among others in the list of players who have made a move away from Bengaluru FC.
