Medio Alvaro Rubio leave Bengaluru FC, returns to Spain

Bengaluru FC Media

Spanish midfielder Alvaro Rubio has called time on his short but impactful Bengaluru FC sojourn after seeing out his contract that ended on November 30.  Brought in by coach Albert Roca in July to add experience to Bengaluru’s AFC Cup campaign, 37-year-old Alvaro was a vital factor in the Blues reaching the final in Doha. 

The former Real Valladolid captain who came to Bengaluru having played more than 300 La Liga games didn’t need time to stamp his class in midfield. 

“I had a stupendous experience at BFC. Personally, it was a positive development for me and I am very grateful to the players, management, fans and everyone associated with the club. I wasn’t from the country but they always made me feel home. I am sure that this club has a great future ahead. I would like to thank everyone again and I hope we meet soon,” said Rubio from his home in Spain.

Donning the No.9 shirt at Bengaluru, the wiry Rubio made light of his age and frame, controlling play in the middle for the Blues. His composure on the ball and his distribution caught the delight of teammates and fans alike. “Alvaro was brought with a specific plan in mind for the AFC Cup and he leaves having done everything that was asked of him. He’s been a great professional and in a short time has managed to be an influence on the youngsters in the team who I believe, have learned much from him. We wish him luck and thank him for his time with Bengaluru FC,” said Roca. 

Ozone win friendly against Bengaluru FC

In a friendly played between the top two teams from the Garden City on Sunday morning, Ozone FC got the better of Bengaluru FC by one goal. Satish Kumar scored a brilliant goal from an Anto Xavier assist. 

With Bengaluru FC scheduled to play AFC Cup Quarterfinal against Tampins Rovers on September 14, they too wanted to get some good match practice. Over past few weeks the Steelmen played friendlies against couple of Army teams and DSK Shivajians. 
Albert Roca  fielded a full-strength team with captain Chhetri, medio Eugenseon, and three foreigners John Johnson, Álvaro Rubio, and Cameron Watson. 

Ozone have built a strong team this season. They’ve strengthened their squad with several I-League players with World Cupper Cornell Glenn scheduled to join in few weeks’ time. 


Starting lineup 

Ozone FCB: Nikhil, Collin, Shrikant, Chika Wali, Vivek, Dhanachandra, Arun, Vignesh, Anto Xavier, Satish Kumar, Sabeeth. Subs prateek, Vignesh, Sam, Pradeep 

Bengaluru FC: Lalthuammawia, Rino Anto, Fanai, John Johnson, Guru, Alwyn George, Álvaro Rubio, Cameron Watson, Eugeneson, Sunil Chhetri, Daniel Lalhlimpuia 

Bengaluru sign two Spanish players, complete foreigner slots

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC announced the signing of Spaniards Alvaro Rubio and Juan Gonzalez as coach Albert Roca completed his roster of foreigners for the Blues this season.

Rubio (37) is a highly-experienced midfielder who spent ten seasons at Spanish club Real Valladolid (2006-2016) during which he played close to 300 games and captained the side that kept shuffling between La Liga and Segunda Division. Gonzalez (29), meanwhile, is a defender who spent two seasons each with the B teams of Deportivo and Real Madrid before moving to German club Fortuna Dusseldorf where he spent three seasons – one in the Bundesliga and two in the second division. He last played for Amercian side Rayo OKC. 

The duo complete Bengaluru’s set of four foreigners after the club announced it had signed Australian midfielder Cameron Watson on Saturday. Watson, Rubio and Gonzalez arrived in the city on Sunday and took part in a session with the team on Monday morning.

While Gonzalez has signed a contract that keeps him with the Blues till the end of the season, Rubio’s term lasts till the end of the year.

“I am happy to have signed for Bengaluru FC. We trained with the team today and everyone is very welcoming. The aim is to try and understand the systems as soon as possible and I would like to use my experience to help the team to success,” said Rubio who also has appearances for the 
Spanish national U-20 and U-21 sides.

Gonzalez, who even had a stint with Hungarian club Ujpest FC said he was keen to settle in soon. “I’ve come here to experience something new and I’m confident I will be able to contribute to the team’s success. I’ve left my family back home and that is tough but I’m here to do a job and do it well,” said the towering defender who stands at 1.92 meters.

Roca was confident of the kind of edge the two players would give to the squad. "Alvaro and Juan bring with them valuable experience of playing at the top level. They have played with and competed against some of the best players in world football and I have little doubt that they will give the team an advantage. They are good professionals and team players and will strengthen the squad before what is a crucial set of AFC Cup games,” he said.