The 135th Durand Cup kicks off with Indian football’s biggest rivalry East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan as new coaches, fresh squads and old emotions collide at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.
Kolkata, July 24: India’s oldest football tournament, the Durand Cup, is set to begin tomorrow with India’s iconic football rivalry between Mohun Bagan SG and East Bengal FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan from 5:00 PM. While the rivalry remains the same, many things have changed in both teams ahead of the new season.
Across all competitions, the Kolkata Derby has been played 408 times between the two teams. In the Durand Cup, 23 derbies have been played, with 12 of them being finals. East Bengal, the second-most successful club in the tournament’s history, leads Mohun Bagan SG, the most successful club in the Durand Cup, by two wins.
Remembering the history and coming back to the present, the last Derby in the tournament ended in favour of the Red & Gold Brigade. After becoming the champions of India, East Bengal FC kick off their new season, but with a rebuilt squad rather than the same team. Mohun Bagan SG have also entered the new season with a new-look squad and a new man in charge.
Panagiotis Dilmperis has taken charge of Mohun Bagan SG and will begin his tenure with a Kolkata Derby. Antonio Habas is the new head coach of East Bengal FC, but the Derby is nothing new to him, and tomorrow’s opponents are also very familiar. During Habas’ previous spell, Mohun Bagan SG were often dominant in the Derby. This time, however, the coach will be on the other side, wearing the Red & Gold colours.
Several new players have joined both giants. One of the most talked-about transfers was Miguel Figueira’s move from East Bengal FC to Mohun Bagan SG. However, due to visa issues, he will not be available for tomorrow’s match. Dejan Drazic is the only foreign player available for Mohun Bagan, but after just a short training period and indications from the pre-match session, he is unlikely to start. Rahul Bheke, Alex Saji, Samir Zelkovic and several other new signings are also part of the squad. Ashis Rai and Apuia have returned to first-team training.
For East Bengal FC, last season’s player Basim Rashid and new signing Dani Ramirez are in Kolkata and available for tomorrow’s match. On the other hand, a few new signings, including Boris Singh and Danish Farooq, are still recovering still need more than 14 days. However, Rohit Kumar, Rohit Danu and goalkeeper Purba Lachenpa will be available.
Despite stepping into one of Indian football’s biggest rivalries for the first time as Mohun Bagan SG head coach, Panagiotis Dilmperis showed no signs of extra pressure. He said he prepares the same way whether his team is facing the bottom side or the top. Calling football his life, the Greek coach said every training session and every game feels like a derby. While he fully understands the emotions and history attached to the Kolkata Derby, his only focus is preparing his team well and starting his journey with a victory.
Antonio Habas believes the past has no role to play in tomorrow’s Derby. He said a lot has changed since his previous spell in Kolkata, with East Bengal FC now being the champions of India. Despite having only a short period to work with the squad, the Spanish coach expressed confidence that his team will be ready to compete and play for a win.
Kolkata is nothing new for Habas. Calling the city his home, he said he has many good memories from his time with Mohun Bagan SG and thanked their supporters for the love they gave him. However, he made it clear that those memories are now part of the past, as East Bengal FC is his new home and his full focus is on leading the Red & Gold Brigade.
Coaches View
Panagiotis Dilmperis Said
“First of all I want to thank you for the warm welcoming from all the Mohun Bagan fans, starting with a derby against East Bengal is something that makes me feel excited because this is the reason why football exists, football is for derbies, football is for competition and of course joining a club like Mohun Bagan with this fan base. The history and the huge expectations creates for me not anxiety but big motivation and to be honest I am so focused to this game since the day that I stepped at Kolkata”.
Antonio Habas said
“My idea is to compete and win the match, but we don’t have time to prepare the match adequately. My idea is to to be solid, compact and compete. Because I think that this match is not one reference for the rest of the competition”.
With history, emotions and new beginnings coming together, the 135th Durand Cup will once again open with Indian football’s biggest rivalry. While both teams have changed, the passion and intensity of the Kolkata Derby remain exactly the same. After opening programs from 4:00 pm the stage will be open, and will heading to the kick off from 5:00 pm.
Mohun Bagan’s Press Conference
East Bengal’s Press Conference
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