Will Mohun Bagan Bounce Back or East Bengal Claim Another Derby Win?

Sayak Bandyopadhyay / 2-2-2024

Carlos Cuadrat has transformed East Bengal, making them serious contenders in the Kolkata Derby. With a string of recent wins, they now enter the derby with confidence. On Saturday, will history be made in the ISL derby?
In recent years, the Kolkata Derby had been a source of anxiety for East Bengal supporters, with the team often fearing heavy defeats. Previous coaches like Robbie Fowler, Mario Rivera, and Stephen Constantine couldn’t change this. However, Cuadrat’s touch has revitalized the team. Now, East Bengal dreams of victories, not defeats.

This season, East Bengal has won two of three Kolkata Derbies in the Durand Cup and Super Cup. However, they have never beaten Mohun Bagan in the ISL, having lost all four previous encounters. Cuadrat’s leadership brings hope of changing that statistic on Saturday.

Upon becoming coach, Cuadrat asked for trust, which initially seemed misplaced. However, following the Durand Cup derby win, East Bengal’s performance improved significantly. Strategic player acquisitions and a shift in team mentality have been key to their recent success.

Despite winning the Super Cup, East Bengal has seen changes with two key players transferring out. Borja Herrera is now with FC Goa, but the team has secured replacements. The derby lineup will feature foreigners Clayton Silva, Hijazi Maher, Jose Pardo, and Saul Crespo.

Cuadrat has previously defeated Mohun Bagan under coaches Juan Ferrando and Clifford Miranda. Saturday marks his first encounter with Antonio Habas’s Mohun Bagan, setting the stage for a tactical battle.

East Bengal enters the derby confident, bolstered by keeper Prabhsukhan Gill and the return of Lalchungnunga from the national team. The midfield, though missing Borja, will see Saul and Naorem Mahesh, another national returnee. Mahesh’s potential to disrupt Mohun Bagan is high, though there’s concern over Shouvik Chakraborty’s card issue, possibly requiring Ajay Chhetri to step up.

Cuadrat may rely on Clayton Silva upfront, supported by Mahesh on the left and Nandhakumar on the right, aiming to secure a memorable derby victory.