ISL 2024-25 Kolkata Derby: Mohun Bagan Aim to Extend Dominance Over Struggling East Bengal
ISL 2024-25 Kolkata Derby – Mohun Bagan Aim to Extend Dominance Over Struggling East Bengal: The iconic Kolkata Derby is set to take center stage once again as Mohun Bagan Super Giant takes on arch-rivals East Bengal in what promises to be a thrilling clash in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season. The match will be held on Saturday, October 19, at the iconic Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium), Kolkata, with the city bracing for a footballing spectacle steeped in tradition and fierce rivalry.
Both the clubs have had challenging starts to their ISL campaign. East Bengal FC remain the only team yet to secure a win, while Mohun Bagan Super Giant, despite their attacking prowess, have struggled defensively, conceding seven goals in their first four matches.
Mariners in Form:
- Mohun Bagan Super Giant come into the game on the back of a 3-0 victory over Mohammedan SC. Their head coach, Jose Molina, will aim to secure consecutive wins and clean sheets for the first time this season.
- For the Mariners, their fortress at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan has seen a flurry of goals. They have scored in each of their 12 home ISL games in 2024, finding the back of the net at least twice in 11 of those matches. They have scored 29 goals at the Salt Lake Stadium in 2024, the second-highest tally for any team at a single venue in a calendar year.
- Their attacking stats are equally impressive this season, averaging 7.3 shots on target per game at a staggering 55.8% shooting accuracy, which is the best in the league. No other team has maintained these stats over a full ISL season, making Mohun Bagan Super Giant a daunting prospect for any defence.
East Bengal FC aim to change their fortunes
- East Bengal FC are winless in their last eight ISL meetings with Mohun Bagan Super Giant, conceding at least two goals in each encounter. This will be a crucial fixture for the Red and Gold Brigade, who are still searching for their first victory of the season after losing their opening four matches, marking a historic low for the club.
- East Bengal’s new manager, Oscar Bruzon, will be leading the team for the first time in the derby and will hope to turn their fortunes around.
Coach Corner before Kolkata Derby
“Tomorrow’s game is the most important”Mohun Bagan Super Giant head coach Jose Molina expressed confidence from their recent win against Mohammedan SC, but assured that all that counts now is what happens tomorrow.
“Tomorrow’s game is the most important”Mohun Bagan Super Giant head coach Jose Molina expressed confidence from their recent win against Mohammedan SC, but assured that all that counts now is what happens tomorrow.
“We had rest for a few days. Now, our players are all ready. I believe we are in a good space, especially after the last match. But now, all that’s important is tomorrow’s game (and we focus on that,” he said before the match.
“The management has assembled a good team”
East Bengal FC tactician Bino George appreciated the management for building a strong team for the season, and acknowledged that it is important for the coaches to do the job well now.
“We will stick to our plans. The management has built a good team this time. It is upon us as the coaches to make the plans now. We will follow that and give our 100%,” he said in the pre-match press conference.
Key Players and Team Milestones to look forward to for the Kolkata Derby
• Oscar Bruzon’s Debut: Oscar Bruzon becomes the second East Bengal manager to face Mohun Bagan in his first ISL game. The Red and Gold Brigade have historically struggled in managerial debuts in the ISL, and Bruzon will look to break this trend. Carles Cuadrat remains the only East Bengal coach to keep a clean sheet in his first game in charge.
• Madih Talal (East Bengal FC): Talal has attempted 83 passes ending in the final third, more than any other player in the ongoing ISL campaign. The Frenchman is also the player with the most successful passes in this region in 2024-25 (63).
• Dimitri Petratos (Mohun Bagan Super Giant): With five goal contributions against East Bengal in previous derbies, Petratos is a proven threat. However, he has found the net only once in his last six ISL games and will be eager to reassert his influence in this clash.
• Greg Stewart (Mohun Bagan Super Giant): After registering two assists from set pieces in his last match, Stewart has already notched up three set-piece assists this season. His delivery from dead-ball situations will be a key factor in Mohun Bagan’s attacking play.
Will Mohun Bagan SG continue their dominant run over their rivals in ISL, or will East Bengal FC break the shackles in the Boro Match?
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