Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) would look to assert their dominance over arch rivals East Bengal in the Indian Super League (ISL) when they clash in Guwahati on Saturday.
The match was moved out of Kolkata, after the Bidhannagar police, under whose jurisdiction the original match venue, the Salta Lake Stadium, falls, raised concerns over insufficient security due to the Gangasagar Mela from January 10 to 18.
The Mariners, who are at the top of the table, will look to extend their record of dominance over East Bengal, having won eight of the nine meetings between the two teams in ISL history.
MBSG head coach Jose Molina has played down his team’s impressive record against East Bengal in the ISL.
“We have to perform well tomorrow. What we have done in the ISL so far does not matter for tomorrow’s match. We have to perform well, defeat them tomorrow within 90 minutes on the pitch, we have to optimize our resources,” he said.
East Bengal players celebrate after a goal against PFC. | Photo credit: DEBASISH BHADURI
East Bengal players celebrate after a goal against PFC. | Photo credit: DEBASISH BHADURI
East Bengal, however, enter the derby in patchy form, recording two wins from their last five matches, which has placed them at 11th place in the points table.
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But East Bengal FC head coach Oscar Bruzon opted to provide an optimistic facade ahead of the decider.
“We need to maximize the resources we have and we have full confidence in the players who will take the field to compete in the Calcutta Derby,” he said.
