The metropolis’s decibel stage will rise noticeably as the ultimate derby of the season takes place at a packed Salt Lake Stadium. Mohun Bagan SG can be trying to enhance their report after they tackle conventional rivals East Bengal FC right here on Sunday.
The match comes at a crucial juncture within the Indian Super League, with Mohun Bagan aiming to win their maiden League Shield whereas East Bengal battle for survival. Mohun Bagan, at present in third place, are the favorites to win the league with 33 factors from 16 video games, whereas East Bengal are in tenth place with 18 factors from as many video games.
If we have been to judge this season’s derby in isolation, East Bengal has the psychological benefit as they’ve gained two of the final 4 conferences in all competitions.
Despite dropping their first match of the season, Mohun Bagan gained the Durand Cup by defeating East Bengal and reversed the outcomes once more within the Super Cup to clinch the title. However, their efficiency within the ISL has been fairly disappointing for East Bengal followers as Mohun Bagan have gained six of their final seven matches.
The solely saving grace for East Bengal was a 2-2 draw within the final version (February 3), which quickly ended their dropping streak towards their conventional rivals within the ISL.
The ultimate draw was the beginning of a serious turnaround for Mohun Bagan, who revived their fortunes underneath Antonio Lopez Habas. Mohun Bagan have remained unbeaten since then, profitable 4 and drawing two of their six unbeaten matches. This occurred because the veteran Spanish coach returned to town to take over the reins of a group that was struggling underneath his younger compatriot coach Juan Ferrando.
“I’m not overconfident, however this recreation is happening in utterly totally different circumstances. East Bengal are preventing for a spot within the prime six, whereas we’re preventing for first place within the league desk. In soccer, it’s a must to stability. It’s necessary to seek out out and I hope the group can play in keeping with plan,” Habas mentioned on the eve of the match.
“It was dedication, laborious work and self-discipline that helped us carry out nicely as a group in the previous few video games,” he added.
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Mohun Bagan can be with out defensive midfielder Deepak Tangri as a result of suspension, whereas harm considerations for gamers similar to Sahar Abdul Samad, Ashish Rai and Australian defender Brendan Hamill will hassle Habas. I’m certain you can do it.
Mohun Bagan’s group achieved good outcomes due to the nice type of Australian ahead Dimitri Petratos and Finnish playmaker Joni Kauko, in addition to the performances of Indian gamers similar to Manvir Singh, Liston Colaco and Anwar Ali. You can anticipate it. These names have contributed considerably to the revival of Mohun Bagan’s efficiency within the second section.
Fresh off their ‘away’ defeat towards Goa, East Bengal can be hoping to regain kind in time and preserve the excessive they’ve maintained over time towards Mohun Bagan throughout the season. With the group at present underperforming, East Bengal coach Carles Cuadrato must give you a correct plan to regulate the efficiency that might carry concerning the desired outcomes.
“Looking at their latest outcomes, Mohun Bagan are the favorites for tomorrow’s match. They have the dynamics and momentum. They are additionally in competition for a playoff spot, so we’ll intention for a win. We can even shield the (East Bengal) brand,” Cuadrato mentioned of the sentiment inside the camp.
East Bengal can be with out right-back Mohammad Rakip as a result of suspension, however the group could have Spanish playmaker Saul Crespo again, Costa Rican Felicio Brown, Serbian Aleksandar Pantic and Jordanian Hijazi and others can be becoming a member of. Maher. East Bengal’s assault line can even have a look at the type of Nandakumar Sekhar, Naorem Mahesh Singh and Souvik Chakrabarty to seek out appropriate help.